The Vikings had enough money to reunite with one of their former players this offseason: Sheldon Richardson, who arrives after a solid stint with the Browns.
What’s interesting is that — according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com — Cleveland actually offered more money than Minnesota, and Richardson still chose the Vikings for a little less. Cabot also wrote:
“Richardson wanted to return to the Browns, but it was more about principle after they terminated his contract in April to save $12 million on the salary cap. A little bump in the salary may have brought him back, but the Browns set their price and stuck to it. Richardson admitted that he didn’t get the deal he wanted from the Browns to return, and is now reunited with Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, for whom he played in 2018.”
Richardson might not start for the Vikings, but the Minnesota defense is still getting an important player. He is stylistically a lot different than the two presumptive starters on the interior: Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson. So as a rotational player who can rush the passer, Richardson is a great fit.