The Vikings defense could look a little different next season, with coach Mike Zimmer hinting newly reacquired defensive tackle Shamar Stephen is expected to take over Sheldon Richardson’s starting job.
The 6-5, 309-pound Stephen, a 2014 seventh-round pick by the Vikings, re-signed with the team on a three-year deal this week after spending last season in Seattle. Stephen’s size, according to Zimmer, will allow Vikings coaches to toy with their scheme as they bank on his run-stopping ability.
“Being able to have a guy with Shamar’s versatility, along with Linval [Joseph] inside,” Zimmer said, “I think it’s going to help us change some of the packages that we run.