The Vikings announced the signing of defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson Friday, just after wrapping up the deal for quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Richardson heads to Minnesota after one season with the Seahawks. Selected 13th overall by the Jets in 2013, Richardson has 285 tackles and 19 sacks in five seasons.
Minnesota, ranked No. 1 in the NFL in total defense last season, lost in the NFC Championship game to the Eagles. Richardson should provide more push up front for the Vikings.
With the Jets, Richardson appeared in all 32 games of his first two seasons and started 31 of them, including a 2014 contest against in Minnesota en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
“I wanted the best opportunity to win the Super Bowl,” Richardson said. “I feel like this is it.”
Richardson, who made $8.069 million last season for Seattle, will replace free agent Tom Johnson as Minnesota’s starter at three-technique defensive tackle. Richardson played for the New York Jets from 2013-16, making the Pro Bowl after his second season.
Richardson said the Vikings “gave me a better offer than Seattle.” Spielman said Richardson wanted a one-year contract but that the move benefits both sides.
“It’s better this way,” Richardson said. “That’s how I feel.”
Richardson will likely start alongside Linval Joseph and will be part of one of the most-talented defensive lines in all of football.
He started all 15 games with the Seahawks last season and finished with 27 tackles and one sack.
Per Pro Football Focus, Richardson had a player grade of 83.8 last season, 27th in football.
Richardson's deal is a one-year, $8 million pact, worth up to $11 million in incentives, according to a source informed of the situation.
Richardson, 27, was ranked No. 6 on Around The NFL's Top 101 Free Agents of 2018.
