Unsigned Vikings Starter Meets with Saints
The NFL calendar has turned to June, and about 11 Minnesota Vikings players from the 2024 squad have not signed with new teams.
An unsung Vikings starter from the past few seasons could end up with the New Orleans Saints. Yes, them.
Men like Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin, and Dalton Risner arguably lead the way per name recognition, but defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard is also unemployed.
That could soon change, though, as Bullard will meet with the New Orleans Saints this week.
DT Jonathan Bullard Auditions for Saints
ESPN’s Mike Garafolo tweeted Monday morning, “The Saints are hosting veteran DL Jonathan Bullard on a visit today, source says. A starter the past three seasons with the Vikings, Bullard has history with Brandon Staley, as the two were together in 2017-18 with the Bears.”
New Orleans’ defense ranked 19th per EPA/Play last season, a mark it will hope to improve in 2025 with new head coach Kellen Moore in the saddle.
Jonathan Bullard’s Tenure with Vikings
Bullard joined Minnesota’s roster at the very beginning of the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell era. He felt like a depth addition at the time in 2022, but the man became a bit of a mainstay in three defenses led by Ed Donatell (2022) and Brian Flores (2023, 2024).
All told, Bullard started 38 games for the Vikings, participating in 46 altogether, while tabulating 108 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6 quarterback hits, and 3 sacks. Bullard specializes in stopping the run more than pressuring quarterbacks, which could become his mission in New Orleans.
Bullard posted a 56.1 Pro Football Focus score in 2024.
The Would-Be Fit with Saints
The Saints have plenty of defensive tackles on the current 90-man roster, so adding Bullard would require him to vie for a roster spot in September.
These are New Orleans DTs as of June 2nd:
- Bryan Bresee
- Davon Godchaux
- Khalen Saunders
- Nathan Shepherd
- John Ridgeway III
- Vernon Broughton
- Khristian Boyd
- Omari Thomas
Based on the group, Bullard would likely be in the driver’s seat to check in as DT3 or DT4 — probably why the Saints are hosting him in the first place.
PurplePTSD on Bullard
Kyle Joudry at our sister site, PurplePTSD.com, profiled Bullard last month and sized up a possible reunion in Minnesota.
He wrote, “Yes, the DT room is looking pretty crowded, but one wonders if the respected veteran still finds his way back to Minnesota.”
“Bullard reminds one of a valuable bottom-six forward in hockey. The man does a lot of little things right: he’s strong on the forecheck, can kill penalties, will drop the gloves, and even put the occasional puck in the net. In football terms, that means soaking up blockers, getting a guard back on his heels, clogging running lanes, and maybe even hitting the quarterback.”
Bullard will turn 32 in October.
Joudry concluded, “Don’t be at all surprised if Jonathan Bullard is Minnesota’s first phone call if there’s an injury to one of the top defensive tackles. The underwhelming DT2 would be a strong DT4 or DT5.”
New York Jets an Option?
If Bullard doesn’t sign on New Orleans’ bottom line, the Jets, too, could evidently be an option.
SI.com’s Patrick McAvoy wrote in May, “The New York Jets have kept their plans under wraps this offseason so far but have done a good job adding talent to the organization. Are they done making additions, though? Right now, the Jets have over $27 million in cap space, per Over The Cap.”
“Bullard is 31 years old and is a nine-year National Football League veteran. He was selected with the No. 72 overall pick in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Bullard spent the first three seasons of his career in Chicago and has spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle [Seahawks], Atlanta Falcons, and Minnesota Vikings. He spent the last three years with the Vikings.”
Whichever team lands Bullard will fetch his services at an affordable rate. He won’t break the bank.
McAvoy added, “Last year, he had one sack, 41 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits in 17 games played.”
Former Vikings safety Robert Blanton also works in New Orleans as an assistant defensive backs coach.
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