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Minnesota Vikings: 3 players who won’t be back in 2022

By Scott Rogust

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 31: Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer reacts after a play in the fourth quarter the game against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 31: Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer reacts after a play in the fourth quarter the game against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 03: Michael Pierce #58 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after a play in the second quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 3, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 03: Michael Pierce #58 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after a play in the second quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 3, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

Michael Pierce, DT

Michael Pierce was one of Minnesota’s huge free agency signings in the 2020 league year. After spending the first four years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, Pierce signed a three-year, $27 million contract back in 2020.

Pierce is in the midst of his first season with the team this year, as he opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The defensive tackle played in the first four games of the season before he suffered an elbow injury. He was placed on the injured reserve and missed seven games until he ultimately made his return back in Week 13 against the Lions.

In seven games this season, Pierce recorded 17 total tackles (three for loss), three sacks and one forced fumble entering Week 16.

Given Minnesota’s cap situation entering the 2022 league year, they will need to make some tough decisions to free up space. One way the Vikings can do so is if they were to cut Pierce post-June 1. If they were to do so, they would free up $8.5 million, per Spotrac.

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