Sheldon Richardson (98) Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Former Pro Bowl DT Sheldon Richardson to return to Vikings?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/14/21

Veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson could be set for a reunion but not the one some thought only a couple of months ago.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters in April Richardson could return to the organization after the two parted ways because of salary-cap issues, but Jack Day of Minnesota radio station KFAN FM and Vikings Wire tweeted Monday that the 30-year-old may be close to signing with the Minnesota Vikings.

I’m hearing that there could be a reunion in store for the #Vikings and free agent DT Sheldon Richardson, per source. Some more good news shaping up for the team’s defensive line ahead of the start of mandatory mini camp tomorrow.
— Jack Day (@jack_h_day) June 14, 2021

Richardson spent the 2018 season with Minnesota before he joined the Browns in March 2019. He recorded 7.5 sacks, 126 total tackles and four forced fumbles over his two years with Cleveland but was released in April so the club could save a reported $11 million in salary-cap space.

"I hope there’s a scenario [where he can come back] but those are the hard decisions that are made. I really want to point out that Sheldon was such a big part of what we did last year," Stefanski said days after Richardson was cut.

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