Any hope of the Minnesota Vikings bringing back veteran Jonathan Bullard to give the defensive line more depth is now gone.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Saturday the Dallas Cowboys are signing Bullard to a 1-year deal. The contract is worth a maximum of $2.5 million.
Bullard is signing a one-year, $2.5M max deal on the day of his late grandmother Joyce’s birthday, which is fitting because he’s said she was a “hollering at the TV” Cowboys fan.
Bullard played three seasons for the Vikings from 2022-24. His 46 games with the team is tied for the most he’s played with any NFL organization over his 10-year career.
With the Vikings, Bullard posted 108 combined tackles, including 15 tackles for loss. He also had three sacks and three pass defenses while starting 38 games.
Last season, Bullard played for the New Orleans Saints. He had 26 combined tackles, four tackles for loss and two pass defenses in 15 games.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed Bullard as a reunion candidate for the Vikings on March 18.
“There isn’t a ton available on the edge, but the Vikings could stand to add a guy or two on the interior to bulk up against the run in veteran free agency,” wrote Barnwell. “Several former Vikings are free agents, including Jonathan Bullard.”
Cowboys Sign Ex-Vikings Edge Rusher Jonathan Bullard
Dallas needed to make an upgrade at edge rusher this offseason. Bullard isn’t the big-time splash Cowboys fans wanted or pundits expected the team to add.
In 10 NFL seasons, Bullard has posted 32 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, 10 pass defenses and two forced fumbles. He also has just 6.5 career sacks in 131 games.
But he is an experienced veteran who could provide depth. Bullard has started 59 NFL games over his decade in the league. He’s played at least 300 defensive snaps each of the past four seasons. In two of those campaigns, he lined up for more than 570 snaps.
Bullard also has some experience on special teams. And he will provide all of this for the Cowboys at a very affordable price even if he reaches all the incentives in his deal.
His best statistical season was three years ago with the Vikings. In 2023, Bullard had 44 combined tackles with two sacks. He also had three tackles for loss and two quarterback hits in 17 games.
Bullard started 14 of those contests.
Will the Vikings Keep Jonathan Greenard?
Barnwell briefly mentioned Bullard as a potential return candidate for Minnesota this offseason because of the changes the team is experiencing to the defensive line.
The Vikings released defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reported on March 3 the team was open to trading defensive end Jonathan Greenard as well.
Barnwell saw Bullard as a potential replacement for Greenard.
“A return to the Vikings for him could make sense if Greenard moves on,” wrote Barnwell.
Since Greenard is still on the roster, it makes sense the Vikings have yet to show public interest in Bullard. But if bringing back Bullard was a Plan B for Minnesota, it’s now off the table.
Bullard wouldn’t be a direct replacement for Greenard anyway.
At his best, Greenard is a double-digit sack candidate. He posted 12 sacks during his 2024 Pro Bowl season.
Bullard has never had more than two sacks in a single season.
Even with Greenard, the Vikings could use more defensive line depth. But as it stands on March 28, interior defensive line is a bigger need for the Vikings than the edge.
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