According to multiple sources, the Minnesota Vikings are making progress on a deal that would bring Sheldon Richardson back to Minnesota.
Jack Day of KFAN.com and The Vikings Wire reported earlier on Tuesday that the Vikings were interested in a reunion with Richardson. ESPN’s Field Yates later confirmed saying that a deal was not imminent but negotiations were “heading that way.”
The Vikings and DT Sheldon Richardson are making progress on a deal to bring him back to Minnesota. While the deal is not done yet, it’s headed that way, per source. @jack_h_day was first to mention the possible reunion.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 14, 2021
Richardson spent the 2018 season with the Vikings and collected 4.5 sacks but the Vikings chose not to re-sign Richardson. as he decided to sign a three-year, $36 million contract with the Cleveland Browns the following offseason.
After signing a three-year, $36 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, he was released last April. The Browns showed interest in bringing him back at a lower salary but Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports that Richardson does not want to return to the team.
Although the Vikings have spent $45 million over the past two offseasons to add Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson, Richardson would fit in as a rotational pass-rusher. Richardson has also improved as a run-stuffer ranking 32nd among qualifiers with an 8.6 run-stop percentage last season.
With Danielle Hunter agreeing to a restructured contract on Monday, signing Richardson could be another step toward rebuilding the defensive line in 2021.
