5 former Vikings players who could return for the 2022 season

Linval Joseph – DT

2021 Team: Los Angeles Chargers

This one is probably the least likely of them all to happen, but it is worth mentioning. The Vikings spent a lot of money at the defensive tackle position a season ago and still could not stop the run. There have been rumors that either Michael Pierce or Dalvin Tomlinson is let go, and that could create an opening for Linval Joseph to return.

Pierce does seem the most likely to get the ax, and Dalvin Tomlinson could end up playing end in the 3-4 front. That would allow Joseph to plug the middle at the nose, and for being 33-years-old the dude is still playing at a high level.

Joseph finished the 2021 season with 57 tackles (three for a loss) and a sack. He did that playing in just 14 games. Those numbers were on par or better than both Pierce and Tomlinson, showing the old man still has plenty of solid football left in him.

The Big Goon won’t be getting a huge deal in free agency due to his age. As stated above, he is 33-years-old and is definitely no spring chicken. He may want to play for a team that is a serious Super Bowl contender and that may make the Vikings less desirable of a landing spot.

Still, he does have plenty of former teammates on the Vikings’ roster and that could also sway him to have his NFL swan song back in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.