With the signing of Harrison Phillips, the Minnesota Vikings had to give up something on defense. . .and it is now, officially, there is.
That #vikings plans to release Michael Pierce’s DT, the source said. They tried to keep him at a moderate pay and tried to trade him. In the end, only some trials and no deal materialized. Now released.
— Jan Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2022
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Vikings will release Michael Pierce’s protective gear, a number that will fetch over $6 million in ceiling seating.
Pierce signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Vikings ahead of the start of the 2020 season, but pulled out that season due to COVID concerns related to him having asthma. He returned to the starter this season and hit two sacks in the team’s first loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Pierce was limited thereafter by injuries to his elbow and shoulder. The team placed him on injured reserve in November and activated again in early December, but he still ended up playing just eight games for the season.
The Vikings approached Pearce about restructuring his deal and, Rapoport says, tried to bring him into the deal, but in the end nothing worked out, so he can now sign elsewhere.
We wish Michael Pierce the best of luck for the future. . .except (say it with me) when he encounters the Vikings.