Vikings sign former Bears DT; camp move possible for 2018

Published 8:47 pm Wednesday, May 17, 2017

EDEN PRAIRIE — The Minnesota Vikings have signed defensive tackle Will Sutton, who was cut last week after three seasons with the Chicago Bears.

Sutton was a third-round pick in 2014 from Arizona State, drafted by the Bears for a 4-3 scheme. The new coaching staff installed a 3-4 defense in 2015, and the 6-foot-1, 290-pound Sutton didn’t fit as well. He was still a starter last year, until an ankle injury ended his season seven weeks early. Sutton played in 36 of a possible 48 games, with 18 starts.

With the health of Sharrif Floyd’s knee a concern, the Vikings have been trying to bolster the defensive tackle position. They drafted Iowa’s Jaleel Johnson in the fourth round. To make room for Sutton, they cut defensive tackle Toby Johnson.

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The Minnesota Vikings will be able to hold training camp at their new headquarters as soon as next year.

The Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan will be completed soon after the Super Bowl, with a March 1 move-in date scheduled. The Vikings have a contract with Minnesota State University in Mankato for preseason practices through 2018, but chief operating officer Kevin Warren told reporters Wednesday that deal can be revisited in December.

Warren said a site switch would be logistically possible for 2018, but no decision has been made. The Vikings have trained in Mankato since 1966.

The Vikings have had their operations in Eden Prairie since 1981. They will have twice as much space, 277,000 square feet, at the new facility.