5 former Vikings players who could return for the 2022 season

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Teddy Bridgewater
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Teddy Bridgewater /
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Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports) Jayron Kearse /

Jayron Kearse – S

2021 Team: Dallas Cowboys

Jayron Kearse is another player who fell out of favor with former head coach Mike Zimmer. When he was with the Vikings back in 2019, he was arrested for suspicion of DWI and that drew Zimmer’s ire.

It wasn’t one bit shocking that he signed with a new team in free agency, but then he left a bad taste in Vikings fans’ mouths with the unkind words he said about the organization on his way out.

Fast forward a couple of years later and Kearse is now a player many Minnesota fans would welcome back with open arms. When he was with the Vikings, he was a very good special teams player, and though it didn’t happen often, when he saw the field on defense he was a guy who would make plays.

Kearse was a versatile piece, who could play safety, corner, and even a little linebacker if needed. His long lanky frame, and eagerness to lay big hits was a solid combination, that was sorely lacking in Minnesota’s secondary a season ago.

Kearse was with the Cowboys a season ago and is he coming off a very good year. He had 101 total tackles (nine for a loss) 10 pass breakups, two interceptions, and a sack.

It would be a bit of a surprise if Dallas let him go, but if he did test the open market, the Vikings should give their former Swiss Army Knife defender a jingle.