Minnesota
Vikings Suggested to Consider Reunion with $11 Million Ex-Starter
Getty
ESPN’s Bill Barnell suggested Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings could pursue a reunion with veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard.
The Minnesota Vikings aggressively pursued veteran defensive linemen during the 2025 offseason. But the tactic didn’t work. The team parted ways with signees Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen before 2026 NFL free agency began. To re-address their defensive line depth, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wondered Wednesday if the Vikings could turn to a familiar face — Jonathan Bullard.
Bullard spent three seasons with the Vikings from 2022-24. During 2024, he started all 17 games, registering 41 combined tackles with seven tackles for loss.
Barnwell suggested Bullard, along with fellow former Vikings defensive lineman Jihad Ward, as a candidate to return to Minnesota.
“Several former Vikings are free agents, including Jonathan Bullard,” Barnwell wrote. “Ward, who had five sacks and an impressive 22 knockdowns for the Titans last season as a full-time starter, hasn’t found much of a market in free agency.
“A return to the Vikings for him could make sense if Greenard moves on.”
In addition to his tackles, Bullard had three quarterback hits and three pass defenses for the Vikings during 2024.
According to Over the Cap, Bullard has earned about $11.19 million during his NFL career.
Why the Vikings Could Pursue Jonathan Bullard Reunion
Barnwell added at the end of his summary that a Bullard reunion “could make sense” if the Vikings parted with Jonathan Greenard.
Because of salary cap concerns, Greenard is another defensive veteran Minnesota could move on from this offseason. This week, USA Today’s K.D. Drummond proposed Greenard as a trade target for the Dallas Cowboys.
Even if the Vikings keep Greenard, though, the team might want to consider a Bullard reunion.
With the departures of Allen and Hargrave alone, the Vikings have 1,348 snaps to replace along their defensive line. Greenard could help fill that void with his experience at a very affordable price.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bullard played about 40% of his defensive snaps for Minnesota in 2024 at defensive tackle.
Spotrac projected Bullard to cost about $1.99 million on a 1-year contract this offseason.
Last season with the New Orleans Saints, Bullard lined up for 327 defensive snaps in 15 games. He started six contests with New Orleans.
The 32-year-old posted 26 combined tackles, including four for loss and two pass defenses in a Saints uniform.
During his three seasons with the Vikings, Bullard averaged 512.3 defensive snaps per year.
Bullard began his NFL career as a third-round pick for the Chicago Bears during the 2016 NFL Draft. Chicago selected him at No. 72 overall.
In addition to the Vikings, Bears and Saints, he’s played for the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons.
Bullard has posted 6.5 sacks with 247 combined tackles, including 32 tackles for loss and 21 quarterback hits in 131 career NFL games. He also has registered 10 pass defenses and two forced fumbles.
Another Potential Reunion for Vikings
Ward is the other former defensive lineman Barnwell mentioned as a reunion candidate this offseason for Minnesota.
During the 2024 campaign, Ward posted 10 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss in 17 games with the Vikings. He also had 14 quarterback hits and a sack while playing 467 defensive snaps.
It’s worth repeating both Bullard and Ward aren’t direct replacements for Hargrave and Allen. The former two veterans mostly play along the edge while Hargrave and Allen are interior line defenders.
As Barnwell mentioned, Bullard and Ward are better target considerations for Minnesota if the Vikings part with Greenard.
But Bullard can play inside often enough that the team could pursue a reunion even if Greenard comes back.
The Vikings have a tight salary cap situation this offseason. If they want an extra veteran for any defensive line position and experience in Brian Flores’s system, they could bring back either Bullard or Ward as cheap depth.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
More Heavy on Vikings
Loading more stories
The Southern Anoka County Assistance food shelf (SACA) is expanding to meet a growing need in Columbia Heights. Earlier this month, the food shelf opened a newly renovated building on California Street Northeast, three times the size of their previous location.
“Our former building could fit inside of this room,” said Leigh McCarren, development and communications manager, while walking through the warehouse. “Before we were serving about 40 families-a-day. Now, we’re averaging around like 140. So, it’s a huge shift.”
SACA has served the community north of Minneapolis for 50 years and in 2020 started dreaming of an expansion. In 2023, the nonprofit received both federal and state dollars. After demolition, cleaning and renovation, the new food shelf opened in April of this year.
The shelf is set up ‘market’ style and no appointments are necessary. McCarren says this helps remove some barriers to get more families through the door.
“I have three children and another one on the way,” said Naphtali, as she walked through selecting items for her family.”A lot of times our food support runs out before the end of the month.”
McCaren said they started to see increasing need during the pandemic. The Food Group is based in Minnesota and tracks visits to food shelves across the state. Their data shows a spike in need in 2022, with numbers increasing each year after. According to their 2025 report, Minnesotans visited food shelves over 9 million times last year.
Along with the food shelf, the building also houses a thrift shop. SACA aims to keep the prices low, usually around a few dollars per item.
SACA staff and volunteers believe they’ll continue to see the number of visitors grow.
Timberwolves have 2 chances to eliminate Nuggets in NBA Playoffs
Timberwolves’ players Ayo Dosunmu and Rudy Gobert spoke to reporters after practice on Wednesday at Mayo Clinic Square. The Timberwolves can eliminate the Denver Nuggets from the NBA Playoffs in Game 6 Thursday night at Target Center. If they lose, there will be a decisive Game 7 in Denver.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Thursday has a chance to be a historic night for the Minnesota professional sports scene.
The Timberwolves and Wild both have home playoff games, both lead 3-2 in their best-of-seven series and each can advance on the same night with a victory. If the Timberwolves and Wild both lose, they had back on the road for decisive Game 7s.
Timberwolves have 2 chances to close out Nuggets
The backstory:
The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Game 6 on ESPN, with a chance to end Denver’s season. The Timberwolves had a 3-1 lead, but lost Game 5 125-113.
The Timberwolves committed 25 turnovers, and allowed 125 points without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.
Chris Finch says Timberwolves had ‘soft mentality’ in Game 5
The Minnesota Timberwolves practiced Wednesday at Mayo Clinic Square ahead of Game 6 against the Nuggets. Chris Finch spoke with reporters and said the team had a soft mentality that led to their Game 5 loss in Denver. The Timberwolves can close out the series with a win Thursday night.
“I thought we had a soft mentality,” Timberwolves’ coach Chris Finch said after Wednesday’s practice at Mayo Clinic Square.
Aside from the turnovers, Jaden McDaniels had two early fouls as the Timberwolves started slow. Nuggets’ role players Spencer Jones and Cam Johnson also combined for 38 points.
Game 6 – What’s at stake
Why you should care:
The Timberwolves have another chance to eliminate the Nuggets, but this time can do so on their home floor in front of what will be a raucous crowd at Target Center. If they win, the Timberwolves advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the third straight year.
If they lose, they head back to Denver for a Game 7. The team knows what’s at stake.
“We’ve got to come out, have fun, stay together. That’s what I told the guys. The game is going to swing, that’s basketball. It’s all about staying together and sticking to the game plan. I’m excited to play in front of the best fans in the world,” guard Ayo Dosunmu said.
“Obviously a lot is at stake, but it’s basketball. This is the moment you dream about,” center Rudy Gobert said. “It’s huge having the home crowd, but it’s basketball. At the end of the day, it’s on us to bring it.”
If the Timberwolves advance, they’ll face the San Antonio Spurs, who eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night.
Wild host Dallas Stars for Game 6 Thursday
Dig deeper:
Over in St. Paul, the Minnesota Wild host the Dallas Stars in Game 6 Thursday night at Grand Casino Arean. Puck drop is set for just after 6:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on TNT as well as FanDuel Sports Network.
Minnesota Wild can eliminate Dallas Stars Thursday night
The Minnesota Wild has a 3-2 lead over the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and can close out the series with a win in Game 6 Thursday night at Grand Casino Arena. Wild coach John Hynes spoke to reporters on Wednesday ahead of the pivotal game.
The Wild can end the Stars’ season with a win, after earning a 4-2 win at Dallas in Game 5. Michael McCarron scored what ended up being the game-winning goal at the 7:47 mark of the third period, which gave the Wild a 3-1 lead. Up 3-2, Kirill Kaprizov sealed the game with an empty-net goal.
Does the Wild’s mentality or approach change with a potential closeout game Thursday night? John Hynes says no.
“I just think it’s the mindset we’ve had as a group – you take each game for what it is. Each game has been highly-competitive, tomorrow night isn’t going to be any different,” Hynes said.
What’s next:
If the Wild lose Game 6, they will head back to Dallas for a decisive Game 7. The Wild is looking for its first playoff series win since 2015. If they advance, they face the Colorado Avalanche.
-
Movie Reviews11 minutes agoTouch Me – Movie Review | Dark Comedy Alien Body Horror | Heaven of Horror
-
World23 minutes agoLithuania Says It Broke Up Russian Sabotage and Murder Plots
-
News29 minutes agoSchumer and Platner Talk After Mills Suspends Her Campaign
-
Politics35 minutes agoTakeaways From Hegseth’s Second Day of Testimony on the Iran War
-
Business41 minutes agoBehind Powell’s High-Stakes Decision to Stay at the Fed
-
Science47 minutes agoChonkers the ‘Food-Motivated’ Sea Lion Plops Into San Francisco
-
Health53 minutes agoAre Electrolytes for Weight Loss Smart Hydration or an Overhyped Trend?
-
Lifestyle1 hour agoA Wedding That Included a Mister and ‘The Miz’