D.J. Wonnum
FILE - Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce (58) reacts during his introduction prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021 in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Vikings kept up their defensive line shuffle by finalizing the release of nose tackle Michael Pierce on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, for salary cap savings ahead of free agency. The seventh-year veteran played in only eight games for the team.(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
Vikings continue defensive shuffle by adding LB Jordan Hicks

By Dave Campbell Mar. 15, 2022 11:25 AM EDT

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy, center, walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 31-17. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings beat Bears 31-17; futures uncertain for Nagy, Zimmer

By Dave Campbell Jan. 09, 2022 04:19 PM EST

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy, left, talks with Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, right, before an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings 1/9/2022

Jan. 09, 2022 12:33 PM EST

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy exhales in the cold air as he walks the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
For Bears, Vikings, 'a game in the NFL is never meaningless'

By Dave Campbell Jan. 06, 2022 02:50 PM EST

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes between Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) and defensive end D.J. Wonnum during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Vikings host Bears with no playoff stakes, coach uncertainty

By The Associated Press Jan. 06, 2022 01:13 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford looks for a receiver during the first half of the team's NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Rams in stride in NFC West race, visit Vikings on short rest

By The Associated Press Dec. 23, 2021 10:10 AM EST

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes between Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) and defensive end D.J. Wonnum during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Hard-to-figure Vikings still trudging ahead in playoff chase

By Dave Campbell Dec. 21, 2021 06:58 PM EST

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, right, yells at referee Scott Novak after Fields was tackled hard into the ground by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle James Lynch during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Penalties, mistakes hurt Bears in 17-9 loss to Vikings

By Jay Cohen Dec. 20, 2021 11:41 PM EST

A football fan sites bundled up in Soldier Field during the first half of an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Cousins throws for 2 touchdowns as Vikings beat Bears 17-9

By Andrew Seligman Dec. 20, 2021 11:41 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins walks out onto the field before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears 12/20/2021

Dec. 20, 2021 07:01 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Vikings, 49ers head into meeting on upswings in NFC

By Josh Dubow Nov. 26, 2021 11:51 AM EST

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, right, catches a 23-yard touchdown pass ahead of Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 34-31. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Jefferson gives Vikings go-to target, and big-game mentality

By Dave Campbell Nov. 22, 2021 06:08 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, file photo, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) warms up before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Minneapolis. The Vikings will be without their best cornerback, Patrick Peterson, for a daunting matchup for their defense against the highest-scoring team in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys. Cameron Dantzler will take his place in the starting lineup. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Vikings designate Peterson for return; CB has missed 3 games

Nov. 17, 2021 07:50 PM EST

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) and wide receiver Devin Duvernay (13) celebrate after connecting for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Tucker's overtime kick gives Ravens 34-31 win over Vikings

By Noah Trister Nov. 07, 2021 04:43 PM EST

The stadium is reflected in the visor of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens 11/7/2021

Nov. 07, 2021 12:39 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass ahead of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory, rear, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings in Baltimore for first time since wild 2013 game

By Noah Trister Nov. 04, 2021 04:44 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Ails of November: Struggling Vikings fending off the gloom

By Dave Campbell Nov. 03, 2021 08:37 PM EDT

Dallas Cowboys defensive back Trevon Diggs (7) breaks up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Cousins, Vikings offense leaving far too many tries short

By Dave Campbell Nov. 01, 2021 08:35 PM EDT

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikes star DE Hunter done for year with torn pectoral muscle

By Dave Campbell Nov. 01, 2021 06:07 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) watches his 54-yard field goal with teammate Stephen Weatherly (91) as Detroit Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye (24) looks on at the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 19-17. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Broncos' new linebackers aim to get up to speed quickly

By Arnie Stapleton Oct. 26, 2021 05:28 PM EDT