Q&A: DT Michael Pierce on release from Vikings and rejoining Ravens

A big free agent addition prior to the 2020 season by former general manager Rick Spielman, defensive tackle Michael Pierce had a roller-coaster run with the Vikings.

Pierce sat out the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, but returned last season and had 20 tackles and 3.0 sacks in eight games with Minnesota. When healthy, he was a great player. But unfortunately, availability matters a lot and he just wasn’t available a lot. Thus, that played a large role in the Vikings releasing Pierce earlier this month. The move saves the Vikings a few million dollars of salary cap space.

We caught up with Pierce to relive his time with the Vikings and hear about his reunion with the Ravens.

***Click the video box above to watch our conversation with Pierce***

Pierce agreed to a three-year contract with the Ravens last week, bringing him back to the team he played with for four years (2016-19). The deal is worth $16.5 million total.

Pierce made the Ravens’ roster as an undrafted rookie out of Samford in 2016. He played at least 14 games for four straight seasons and had 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits in his first run with Baltimore before signing with the Vikings.