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UPDATE: It’s a three-year, $27 million deal for Pierce with $18 million in guarantees and up to an additional $1 million in incentives.
Michael Pierce becomes the Vikings' new run stopper, with a deal that includes $18 million of guaranteed money over three years. It's worth $27 million in all, and could include another $1 million of incentives.
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) March 19, 2020
After watching a bunch of players leave, it appears that the Minnesota Vikings are about to get their first free agent signing from another team.
I'm told former Baltimore #Ravens NT Michael Pierce is close to agreeing to terms on a 3-year deal with the #Vikings, per source.
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 18, 2020
Josina Anderson of ESPN is reporting that the Vikings are on the verge of signing defensive tackle Michael Pierce to a three-year deal, which would give them an ideal replacement for the departed Linval Joseph.
The 6’, 340-pound Pierce signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2016 after playing his college football at Samford University. His specialty is stopping the run, as Sam Ekstrom of Zone Coverage informs us.
Michael Pierce ranked 5th (2018), 12th (2017) and 15th (2016) amongst interior defenders per PFF his first three seasons. An excellent run-stuffer.
— Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) March 18, 2020
Pierce had a bit of a down year in 2019 after dealing with some ankle issues, but will hopefully be ready to bounce back in a big way in 2020 and beyond.
Pierce appears to be in the same mold as Joseph, at least on the surface. He’s a BIG guy that’s coming off of his rookie contract (including receiving a second-round tender from the Ravens before last season). Now, he’s going to the the opportunity to be the full-time nose tackle for the Vikings, and getting to work with Andre Patterson will only help him get better, as there arguably isn’t a better defensive line coach in the game.
Once we have the financial terms of the deal, we will bring them to you here. For now, however, the Vikings’ front office has given us something to be excited about, it would appear.