The Minnesota Vikings have signed free agent linebacker Desmond Bishop to a one-year deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed yet.
Minnesota Vikings sign Desmond Bishop to 1-year contract
Desmond Bishop has found a new home. The Vikings signed the linebacker to a 1-year deal.
Harry How
Bishop spent his entire career with the Green Bay Packers after being drafted in the sixth round in 2007. He became a starter in 2010 and established himself as one of the better linebackers in the league, recording 115 tackles and five sacks in 2011. Unfortunately, a torn hamstring in preseason wiped out his 2012 season, and the Packers released him when he wouldn't accept a pay cut.
For more on this story, head to Daily Norseman
Before getting released, Bishop was limited in minicamp action, but he is fully expected to be ready for training camp. If healthy, he will be an immediate starter and should stabilize the Vikings' linebacker corps. He's expected to join Erin Henderson and Chad Greenway at the top of the depth chart and play middle linebacker.
Vikings blog Daily Norseman is pleased with the move and believes Bishop is a significant upgrade:
If Bishop can stay on the field and resemble the guy that averaged 109 tackles over the 2010 and 2011 seasons, the Vikings may have just added an integral piece to a precariously thin linebacking corps. Erin Henderson claims that he’s still the man in the middle for the Vikings defense, but Bishop could still provide depth at middle linebacker or play the weak side opposite Chad Greenway. If you ask me, Greenway/Henderson/Bishop makes for a pretty solid trio.
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