3 Former Vikings Making Impact on New Teams in 2023
With the Christmas season just around the corner, let’s look at some former Vikings players making important impacts on their current team in 2023. Hi, I’m Nate Powalie. I have been a writer for PurpleTerritory since 2021. Recently, I had a chance to interview some of the PurpleTerritory staff to discuss who they think is one (or potentially more) Vikings player making the biggest impact on their current team in 2023.
3 Former Vikings Making Impact on New Teams in 2023
One player who was not picked by the staff appears to have his 2023 campaign cut short, according to Dustin Baker. You can find more details on that buzz here.
So, who did the staff choose for the former Vikings Players who are making an important impact on their new team in 2023? Let’s see what the crew had to say to me…
As usual, we start with the head of the class, our leader, Dustin Baker.
The PurpleTerritory Interview: Who are Former Vikings Players that you think are making an important impact on their current team in 2023?
Interview No. 1: Dustin Baker
Dustin’s Choice: Dalvin Tomlinson (Defensive Tackle, 2023 Team – Cleveland Browns)
Dustin’s explanation: Dalvin Tomlinson (DT, CLE)
The Browns’ defense is one of the best the NFL has experienced in recent memory. It’s just overshadowed by quarterback performance and injury.
Tomlinson anchors the guts of Cleveland’s defensive line while Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith fetch the sexy headlines.
The former Viking is always Steady Eddie, and his production in Cleveland hasn’t disappointed. He was expensive for the Vikings to re-sign, but the Cleveland relationship is working.
It certainly would appear to be that way, Mr. Baker.
Next up, I turn to the Frey Guy. The one and only Josh Frey.
Interview No. 2: “Frey Guy” Josh Frey
Josh’s Choice: Dalvin Tomlinson (Defensive Tackle, 2023 Team – Cleveland Browns)
Josh’s explanation: Hey man, I’ll go with your team and take Dalvin Tomlinson.
For the past few years, the Browns have needed extra beef on their defensive line to take some pressure off Myles Garrett. Dalvin Tomlinson spent two seasons being a very strong run-stuffing presence in the middle of the Vikings d-line, and now, he has come in and done just that for Cleveland as well. He is a key reason why the Browns have gotten off to a 9-5 start despite some struggles on the offensive side of the ball.
I see a running theme so far with a particular set of former Vikings players making important impacts. They’re all Cleveland Browns.
But who are some other former Vikings players making important impacts on their 2023 squads?
Let’s turn things to go north of the border and catch up with our Canadian friend, Kyle “KJ” Joudry.
Interview No. 3: Kyle “The Canadian Vike” Joudry
Kyle’s Choice(s): Dalvin Tomlinson (Defensive Tackle, 2023 Team – Cleveland Browns) and Za’Darius Smith (EDGE, 2023 Team – Cleveland Browns)
Kyle’s explanation: My mind instinctively goes to the defensive line, making me think of Dalvin Tomlinson and/or Za’Darius Smith. So let me roll those two into one, saying Cleveland is getting the best impact from the former defensive linemen (or outside linebacker, depending on how you want to describe Mr. Smith).
Smith is an edge rusher, so roll two into one like you, Kyle.
Two more writers still chipped in their thoughts on former Vikings players making the biggest impact on their current team. Our next report is from Ali Siddiqui.
Interview No. 4: Ali “Pro Sports Fan” Siddiqui
Ali’s Choice: Adam Thielen (Wide Receiver, 2023 Team – Carolina Panthers)
Ali’s explanation: Adam Thielen
While it was the right call to move on from him, given his age and cap number. Jordan Addison is also much younger and cheaper.
Justin Jefferson has been out, so having Thielen would have been beneficial during Jefferson’s absence. If Jefferson weren’t hurt, Thielen wouldn’t have been necessary.
Well, Ali, that is a very good point you bring up.
Our fifth and final writer is our native Golden Gopher fan, Ted Schwerzler. Here’s who Ted has chosen for his former Vikings players who have impacted their new team in 2023.
Interview No. 5: Ted “The Minnie Man” Schwerzler
Ted’s Choice: Dalvin Tomlinson (Defensive Tackle, 2023 Team – Cleveland Browns)
Ted’s explanation: Dalvin Tomlinson has been a notable omission from the 2023 Vikings defensive line. Sheldon Day was needed during the Bears game to fill in on the interior defensive line, and Brian Flores has had issues there all year. Tomlinson is a half-sack away from his career high already, and he’s done a good job up the middle.
Well, that concludes this piece on who our staff thinks are the former Vikings Players making the biggest impact on their current teams in 2023.
And as the playoff push gets into the final weeks, these former Vikings players will look to continue their success and help their team build momentum toward a postseason berth or perhaps to the offseason.
The Vikings’ “Easy” Path to Postseason
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