Well, Well, Well. Vikings Still Interested in Geno Atkins.

Geno Atkins
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

For some reason or another, the Minnesota Vikings are apparently still interested in employing defensive tackle Geno Atkins in 2021.

Per Darren Wolfson of KSTP and then SKOR North as the message-conveyor, general manager Rick Spielman has the former Cincinnati Bengals defender in his purview.

Ordinarily, this transaction would be cause for intense salivation. As early as three weeks ago, this move would have sent Vikings enthusiasts into orbit with excitement.

But Minnesota already signed its solution at the 3DT position when free agency began. Dalvin Tomlinson from the New York Giants is slated to hold down the three-technique duties in 2021.

This rumor puts that theory into doubt.

Atkins tore his labrum in 2020, and the season became a lackluster one for the soon-to-be 33-year-old. He turns 33 this weekend.

The pandemic season marked the first time since 2013 that he missed a single game. Ergo, outside of 2020, Atkins is durable.

And when’s healthy, he’s a monster. From 2013 to 2019, only Aaron Donald has more sacks as a defensive tackle than Atkins. Bringing Atkins aboard the Vikings defensive line – a healthy version – can be perceived as an old, diet Donald.

The delectable aspect of Atkins’ tool bag is balance. When his labrum is whole, he is equally as effective in rushing the passer as he is stopping the run. Normally, a defensive lineman does one trait or the other in superior fashion. Such is not usually the case for Atkins. He stops the run and terrorizes passers.

If one is really in the hype business, a penning of Atkins on a Vikings contract would instantly transform the 2020 defensive maladies. A defensive line of Ifeadi Odenigbo, Shamar Stephen, Jaleel Johnson, and Jalyn Holmes – would morph to Stephen Weatherly, Michael Pierce, Geno Atkins/Dalvin Tomlinson, and Danielle Hunter.

But at what price? The Vikings have two offensive line holes to plug. Spielman needs a safety. He may or may not need a starting EDGE rusher. For now, the front office has about $10 million of cap space to spend.

The only way the Atkins addition is sensical is if he’s available at a total bargain-bin price. And he really isn’t that old yet to be discussing peanut deals.

It’s is unlikely that Atkins could be moved to defensive end — he is a true-blue defensive tackle by most accounts.

However, for a Vikings defense that was the fourth-worst in the NFL during 2020, perhaps the more the merrier for star-studded personnel should not be shunned.

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