Linval Joseph training with the guy who replaced him in Minnesota
By Adam Patrick
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce recently trained with a former member of the purple and gold, Linval Joseph.
Early in the 2020 offseason, the Minnesota Vikings were looking for ways to create more cap space, and it ultimately resulted in the team parting ways with two longtime contributors to their defense in defensive tackle Linval Joseph and cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
To fill the gigantic hole left by Joseph’s departure last year, the Vikings ended up convincing former Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Michael Pierce to sign with them in free agency.
Unfortunately, Pierce did not suit up for Minnesota last season as he chose to opt out of the 2020 campaign due to health concerns related to COVID-19.
Current and former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles training together this summer
Training camp is right around the corner for the Vikings, but that doesn’t mean players are just chilling on their couches all day before then. Most of the Minnesota roster has continued to train for the upcoming season after everyone went back home following the team’s minicamp a few weeks ago.
Recently, Joseph and Pierce shared a photo of them together at Higher Power Training in Eden Prarie, Minnesota. The former Vikings defensive tackle had some high praise for the guy who will be replacing him on the team’s defensive line this year.
https://twitter.com/mikepierce_97/status/1416038116889071622
It’s great to see that Joseph doesn’t have any hard feelings after leaving the Vikings in 2020. In fact, it sounds like he’s going to be one of Pierce’s biggest fans next season.
Speaking of big, Pierce is listed at 6-feet, 340 pounds, and he looks like a child standing next to Joseph and his 6-foot-4, 329-pound frame. The former Minnesota defensive tackle is just a massive human being.
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Joseph played a vital role in the success of the Vikings defense during his tenure with the franchise. Hopefully, his replacement on Minnesota’s defensive line can perform just as well for the team next season.