Vikings discussed adding LB Vontaze Burfict to team

As the Vikings prepare to face the Raiders, coach Mike Zimmer told reporters that the Vikings ‘talked’ about adding linebacker Vontaze Burfict to the team this offseason.

Burfict, of course, instead signed with Oakland.

Mike Zimmer said the Vikings 'talked' about Vontaze Burfict, the linebacker he coached in Cincy, during free agency but he obviously ended up signing w/ Oakland. Zim's take on what's made him so successful: "He’s the leader of their defense. He knows the defense as well anybody,

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 18, 2019

Zimmer and Burfict go back to their days in Cincinnati. The two spent 2012 and 2013 with the Bengals where Zimmer served as the team’s defensive coordinator. In 2013, Burfict made his only Pro Bowl in the NFL and led the NFL with 177 combined tackles.

Burfict, 28, likely would have played the same position that Ben Gedeon plays, so that’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for the second-year linebacker. But such is business.

Burfict has always been a solid player, but he hasn’t always been a solid person. He’s been suspended for 10 games over his career and fined 14 times for more than $4 million (including suspensions).

The Raiders signed Burfict to a one-year $2 million deal this offseason.