The Vikings made a switch on the defensive line, adding veteran 3-4 defensive end Jonathan Bullard and waiving former 2020 seventh-round pick Kenny Willekes after suffering an undisclosed injury.
Vikings release defensive end Kenny Willekes, sign veteran Jonathan Bullard
Willekes, the 2020 seventh-round pick, suffered an injury and was waived to make room for Bullard, who is reunited with two Vikings coaches.
June 3, 2022 at 11:42AM
Bullard, 28, reunites with two Vikings assistant coaches in coordinator Ed Donatell, who was with the Bears when Bullard was a third-round pick in 2016 out of Florida. He also rejoins defensive line coach Chris Rumph, who coached Bullard as the Gators D-line coach.
Minnesota is Bullard's fifth NFL team entering his seventh season. Bullard (6-foot-3, 290 pounds) most recently appeared in nine games for the Falcons last season, when he missed time due to concussion and ankle injuries. He's also played for the Cardinals and Seahawks since being released by the Bears in roster cuts after his fourth training camp.
In Chicago, Bullard was a 3-4 defensive end, where the Vikings have been starting Dalvin Tomlinson and Armon Watts in the transition to a new defensive front during spring practices. James Lynch, Jaylen Twyman and rookie Esezi Otomewo have also been working at those spots with reserves.
Bullard has primarily been a reserve in his NFL career, starting 15 games in 70 appearances.
Andrew Krammer is joined by Matthew Coller of Purple Insider to discuss the Vikings offense, what they think of Justin Fields and the Bears, and they talk what's been expected and unexpected through four games.
