Vikings Make It Official with Newest Defensive Piece
Josh Frey
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Earlier on Monday, news came out that the Minnesota Vikings would be visiting with free agent defensive lineman Jonah Williams.
Hours after that visit, the former Los Angeles Ram and Super Bowl champion is set to join Minnesota’s defense for the 2024 season. The lineman agreed to a one-year deal, and the Vikings announced via social media that he would be joining the squad.
Vikings Sign New Defensive Lineman Jonah Williams
As for Williams’ contract, Darren Wolfson of KSTP reported that it is a one-year deal worth up to $1.5 million for the Idaho native.
Williams went undrafted out of Weber State in 2020. During his collegiate career, the defensive tackle recorded 194 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and three forced fumbles while being named the Big Sky Defensive MVP during his senior season.
As an undrafted free agent, Williams signed with the Los Angeles Rams before the 2020 season while Kevin O’Connell was the offensive coordinator of the team. However, he did not play in a single game during that year, spending the season on the practice squad.
Williams did begin to appear in games during 2021, though, which just so happened to be the same season in which the Rams would go on to win the Super Bowl. Over the course of the regular season, the defensive lineman appeared in eight games and recorded five tackles.
In the past two seasons, Williams progressively took on a larger role in Los Angeles. He appeared in 16 games during 2022, starting six times, and recording 23 tackles along with half a sack. Then, he emerged as a full-time starter for the Rams in 2023 by starting 16 games and playing 598 defensive snaps.
During the 2023 campaign, Williams recorded 49 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and a pass defended. He also recorded three tackles, including a tackle for loss, in the Wild Card round of the playoffs against the Detroit Lions.
Coming off his first year as a full-time starter, Williams has a chance to solidify that role with the Vikings. Minnesota currently employs just four other defensive linemen (Jonathan Bullard, Harrison Phillips, Jaquelin Roy, Jerry Tillery), so the newest addition should be able to contribute.
Williams will turn 29 years old in August.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.