The Arizona Cardinals need to address the defensive line this offseason. They have the opportunity to do so even before free agency begins. The Minnesota Vikings released veteran defensive lineman Linval Joseph on Friday after six seasons with the team.
Joseph had two years remaining on the four-year contract extension he signed in 2017. The move saved the Vikings more than $10 million in cap space.
Joseph will turn 32 this coming season. He has played in the NFL 10 seasons and was a Pro Bowler in 2016 and 2017. Listed at 6-4 and 329 pounds, he is a stout interior defender.
He had 44 tackles, six for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and six QB hits in 2019.
He would be an immediate upgrade on the Cardinals roster. The question is how much he will command in salary.
If the Cardinals could get him for around the $3.75 million veteran Corey Peters will make in salary and bonuses in 2020, he would be a slam dunk of an addition. Peters was again the team’s best interior defender in 2019. He is 31 and had almost identical numbers to Joseph. Having two of those players would be huge for a defense trying to make huge strides over their dismal 2019.
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