Joe Berger announced Friday that he’s retiring after 13 seasons in the NFL, the last seven of which he played with the Vikings.
“After a lot of careful thought and prayer I have decided to retire from football,” Berger wrote in a statement. “I have been fortunate to enjoy 13 seasons and have had the opportunity to play with so many good players and coaches. I was on some great teams before the Vikings, but it wasn’t until I got to Minnesota that I really felt at home.”
Berger started all 16 games for the Vikings at guard/center last season.
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His retirement wasn’t surprise since he hinted at its likelihood during the season, and Minnesota’s agreement with free agent guard Tom Compton, a Rosemount, Minnesota native, earlier this week fueled speculation that Berger was following through with his hint.
Compton can play guard and tackle, but it sounds like guard will be where he lines up most in Minnesota – and with Jeremiah Sirles leaving for the Carolina Panthers as a free agent, as reported by Chris Tomasson, the job at right guard might be Compton’s to lose.
“That’s kind of what I’ve done for most of my career, bounce around to different positions,” Compton told Vikings.com. “I think they’ll see how guard goes and kind of go from there.”
