Vikings Suggested to Consider Reunion with $11 Million Ex-Starter

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