Vikings sign LB Todd Davis to one-year deal

After losing linebacker Anthony Barr for the season with a torn pectoral muscle, the Minnesota Vikings have brought in a veteran at the position to replace him.

Numerous sources are reporting that the Vikings have signed former Denver Broncos linebacker Todd Davis to a one-year deal and that he will practice with the team today after clearing all of the necessary COVID-19 protocols.

Davis went undrafted in 2014 after playing his college ball at Sacramento State University. He started his career with the New Orleans Saints, but the Broncos signed him off of the Saints’ practice squad in November of 2014. Davis’ coach with the Broncos in 2015 and 2016 was current Vikings’ offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, and he was a part of the Broncos team that won Super Bowl L.

Over the past four seasons, Davis has started 59 of a possible 64 games for the Broncos on defense, leading the Broncos in tackles in three of those seasons.

This seems like a pretty solid acquisition for a mid-season replacement. While Davis is currently with the Vikings on a one-year deal, it’s possible that he could play himself into a longer-term deal if he can perform for the Vikings the same way he did for the Broncos over the past few seasons.

Obviously it’s too early to speculate just how large a role Davis is going to play in Minnesota’s defense, but I’m guessing that it won’t be too long before he’s a regular part of things.