For the third consecutive offseason, the Vikings' initial free-agent acquisition is a defensive tackle.
The Vikings agreed to terms with former Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips on Monday night on a three-year deal worth up to $19.5 million, a league source confirmed. The deal can't become official until Wednesday afternoon, when the 2022 league year begins.
Phillips' addition is the first under new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, and means a shakeup as the Vikings informed nose tackle Michael Pierce that he will be released, according to a league source. Pierce was the Vikings' top free-agent signing in 2020, but had played only eight of 33 games because of a torn triceps and COVID opt-out. His release will save the team nearly $6.3 million in cap space, while leaving $4 million on the books.
