The Minnesota Vikings announced the signing of free-agent defensive end Corey Wootton today. The former Chicago Bear signed a one-year contract, according to his agent. The value of the deal is unknown.
The Star Tribune reports that Wootton will serve as a backup end to projected starters Everson Griffen and Brian Robison. It was essential for the Vikings to sign another defensive end with Jared Allen leaving via free agency.
Want to thank the Chicago Bears organization, my teammates, and the fans for an incredible 4 years excited to start a new chapter in Minn!
— Corey Wootton (@CoreyWootton) March 21, 2014
Vikings fans might better know Wootton for essentially ending Brett Favre’s career in 2010. After the Metrodome’s roof collapsed in 2010, the Vikings were forced to move a Monday Night Football game against the Bears outside to TCF Bank Stadium. The frozen field didn’t bode well for Favre, who was sacked by Wootton. Favre’s head bounced off the icy turf and he was removed from the game.
He hasn’t played since.
That was Wootton’s first career sack. In five years of NFL playing time, the former fourth-round draft pick has 11 sacks in 45 career games.
