First New Free Agent of the Offseason Joins the Vikings
Dustin Baker
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Another Harrison is joining the Minnesota Vikings, and this one plays defense, too, like longtime safety Harrison Smith.
The newcomer to the Vikings is defensive tackle Harrison Phillips from the Buffalo Bills.
Phillips enters new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell’s defense, a system switching to a 3-4 scheme after about 60 seasons of the Vikings showcasing a 4-3 setup.
New general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah netted Phillips services at a reasonable price, signing the lineman to a three-year, $19.5 million deal.
The move casts uncertainty on the current batch of interior defensive linemen as the position was not necessarily a roster need — like the areas of cornerback, EDGE, offensive line, and linebacker. Regardless, it is unclear what will come of the contracts of Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson, two existing defensive tackles on Minnesota’s roster.
On Phillips, who just turned 26 years old, his Pro Football Focus resume is impressive:
Throughout his brief career, Phillips’ acumen for stopping the run and rushing the passer is fairly balanced, although in 2021, he stopped the run more proficiently than anything else.
The Vikings ranked 26th in the NFL last year in rushing yards allowed to opponents.
On the whole, let it be known, Adofo-Mensah’s first move as general manager of the Vikings pertaining to signing new players was bolstering the trenches, this time on defense.
Phillips’ nickname is Horrible Harry.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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