Former Vikings Defender Is Now a Cowboy
The Dallas Cowboys have stocked up on defensive tackles all over the place since letting defensive end (outside linebacker) Micah Parsons go via trade to the Green Bay Packers last summer, this time signing a former Minnesota Vikings defender, Jonathan Bullard.
Dallas added Bullard to a crowded defensive tackle group this offseason.
Bullard is about as steady as it gets as a no-frills, run-stopping DT, and he’ll play for the Cowboys in 2026.
Cowboys Keep Stockpile DT Help
Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark have a new pal.
Bullard to DAL
It’s a second-wave addition in free agency for Dallas, as Cowboys reporter Tommy Yarrish wrote Saturday, “The Cowboys have added some more depth on their defensive line, agreeing to terms with veteran Jonathan Bullard on a one-year deal. With the addition of Bullard, the Cowboys have now added seven external players on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Bullard is the third addition on the defensive line, joining nose tackle Otito Ogbonnia and OLB Rashan Gary.”
“In Dallas, Bullard will reunite with his former defensive line coach Marcus Dixon, who coached him with the Vikings in 2024. That season, Bullard started in all 17 games for Minnesota and posted 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a sack.”
It’s Bullard’s seventh NFL team — in 11 seasons.
The Cowboys’ Full DT Group
Dallas probably won’t spend early draft picks on defensive tackles; it’s all set on the interior of the defensive line. Here’s a look at the pecking order heading into April:
- Quinnen Williams
- Kenny Clark
- Otito Ogbonnia
- Jonathan Bullard
- Jay Toia
- Adedayo Odeleye
The Cowboys could use some help on the edges of the defensive line — it’s just Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku for starters right now — and the draft might be the spot for those replenishments.
A to Z Sports‘ Mauricio Rodriguez on the Bullard acquisition: “On Saturday, the Cowboys made a free agency signing to help the cause. And it could be a significant one for a defense that needs to do a better job stopping the run. At 290 pounds, Bullard isn’t a true nose tackle, lining up over the B-gap the majority of the time. However, he does specialize as a run defender.”
“Final grade: B. The Cowboys are getting Bullard at a very reasonable price and they seriously needed the depth. I can see Bullard carving out a rotational role in early downs to improve the team’s run defense. With Williams and Clark leading the DT room, don’t expect Bullard to be a star. But he could very well be the third-best DT in a group that also includes Jay Toia, Otto Ogbonnia, and Adeyayo Odeleye.”
Bullard’s Career Resume
Bullard joined the Vikings when former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell were hired, establishing himself as a consistent contributor over three seasons. He made an immediate impact in 2022 and continued to see playing time in 2023 and 2024, even earning several starts.
Bullard’s role remained consistent: primarily a run-stopping defensive tackle under both Ed Donatell and Brian Flores. Rather than rushing the passer, he focused on maintaining his position and disrupting running lanes.
His statistics reflect this. In 46 games, with 38 starts, Bullard recorded 108 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6 quarterback hits, and 3 sacks in Minnesota. While not a significant pass-rushing threat, he excelled at engaging blockers and holding his ground.
He played a similar role in New Orleans, earning a PFF grade of 58.9 in 2025 as a rotational run-stopping defensive lineman.
Here’s his destination resume through seven seasons:
- Chicago Bears (2016–2018)
- Arizona Cardinals (2019–2020)
- Seattle Seahawks (2020)
- Atlanta Falcons (2021)
- Minnesota Vikings (2022–2024)
- New Orleans Saints (2025)
- Dallas Cowboys (2026–now)
Bullard banked 327 defensive snaps in New Orleans last season, playing about one-third of the time.
The Other DAL Signings
Free agency has quieted over the last week, but here’s a gander at the Cowboys’ newcomers and re-signings:
- Corey Ballentine (CB) NYJ → DAL
- Jonathan Bullard (DL) NO → DAL
- Decobie Durant (CB) LAR → DAL
- Matt Hennessy (C) ATL → DAL
- Sam Howell (QB) WAS → DAL
- Derion Kendrick (CB) LAR → DAL
- P.J. Locke (S) DEN → DAL
- Otiito Ogbonnia (DL) LAC → DAL
- Jalen Thompson (S) ARI → DAL
- Tyrus Wheat (ED) PIT → DAL
- Sam Williams (ED) DAL → DAL
And the guys from the 2025 roster who play elsewhere:
- Brock Hoffman (C) DAL → PIT
- Robert Jones (G) DAL → SF
- Jack Sanborn (LB) DAL → CHI
- Jalen Tolbert (WR) DAL → MIA
- Juanyeh Thomas (S) DAL → IND
- Payton Turner (ED) DAL → DET
Notable Cowboys defenders Logan Wilson (LB), Kenneth Murray (LB), and Jadeveon Clowney (EDGE) remain free agents.
Bullard will turn 33 in October.
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