Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer’s connection to the Cincinnati Bengals could be a factor in the team’s goal to improve its offensive line.
According to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, Bengals offensive lineman Clint Boling is interested in signing with the Vikings.
“The Vikings are making a push to sign guard Clint Boling in free agency and he is said to be strongly considering them. Boling played the past four years with Cincinnati, three when Mike Zimmer was defensive coordinator.”
As Boling’s agent put it, his client has a “lot of interest” in the Vikings. Pro Football Focus ranked Boling the 20th best free agent in the NFL; the No. 2 ranked guard behind San Francisco’s Mike Iupati.
Clint Boling's trainer, who talked to him this morning: "I'm sure he'll go for the best up-front money like everybody else does.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 9, 2015
Offensive guard could be a point of weakness if the Vikings don’t upgrade the position. Brandon Fusco is set to return from a torn pectoral muscle that ended his 2014 season prematurely, but left guard Charlie Johnson was recently cut.
Boling, per Pro Football Talk, has started 44 consecutive games for the Bengals. Zimmer was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator while Boling was there for three seasons.
Free agents can begin signing with teams at 3 p.m. CT Tuesday.
