Sep 8, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports.
Mike Zimmer is getting the band back together down in Dallas.
Longtime Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph is the latest example, joining the Cowboys this week, where he’ll reunite with Zimmer, who coached him in Minnesota for six seasons.
“Breaking: I’m the told the Cowboys are signing DT Linval Joseph, per source,” Josina Anderson first reported Wednesday on X, with the NFL regular season 15 days away.
The Cowboys signed linebacker Eric Kendricks earlier this offseason, another Zimmer staple with the Vikings from 2015 to 2021. Dallas hired Zimmer as the defensive coordinator this offseason after Dan Quinn skedaddled to head coach the Washington Commanders.
Joseph played for the Buffalo Bills last year, experiencing action in seven games with 161 snaps on defense. Here’s his NFL resume to date:
Before his Vikings career, Joseph was selected by the New York Giants in the 2nd Round of the 2010 NFL Draft and spent four years alongside Eli Manning. He even won a Super Bowl with the Giants. A fan favorite, Joseph was absolutely adored in Minnesota. He was an anchor for the Zimmer-led defenses that pestered the NFC North for about five seasons. From 2015 to 2019, right in Joseph’s breadbasket with the Vikings, Minnesota ranked second in the NFL per points allowed, only trailing the dynastic New England Patriots in the timeframe.
Heading into 2020, though, oodles of Vikings defenders jettisoned in free agency, including Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Everson Griffen, and Joseph — and Zimmer’s cherished defense never recovered. Joseph, 35, has tallied 664 total tackles, 76 QB hits, 56 tackles for loss, 25.5 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, and 5 fumble recoveries in 179 career games. He’s also a two-time Pro Bowler, with the Vikings in 2016 and 2017.
Joseph joins the DT section of the Cowboys depth chart that includes these players:
Joseph is expected to make Dallas’ 53-man roster when cuts are announced next Tuesday.
Under Quinn last year, the Cowboys’ defense ranked fifth leaguewide per DVOA, an impressive mark that Zimmer hopes to maintain. Notably, however, Dallas added very few defensive free agents this offseason outside of Kendricks and Joseph.
Buffalo also employs former Vikings players Andrew Booth (cornerback) and Nick Vigil (linebacker).
Joseph will turn 36 in October.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.