Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – The Minnesota Vikings made a pair of notable roster moves this week, adding depth to their secondary while locking up a key piece of their linebacking corps ahead of the new league year.
The Vikings have signed cornerback James Pierre to a two-year contract worth $8.5 million, giving the team a proven veteran presence in their secondary.
Pierre, 27, spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last season, he appeared in 14 games with five starts, recording 30 tackles and one interception. His experience is expected to provide immediate value for a Vikings defense looking to improve on the back end.
In a separate move, the Vikings reached an agreement with linebacker Eric Wilson on a three-year, $22.5 million extension, bringing back one of their starting defenders for the foreseeable future.
Wilson, 31, is in his second stint in Minnesota and is coming off the best season of his career. He tallied 115 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2025, cementing himself as one of the more productive linebackers in the NFC. The new deal keeps him in purple through at least the 2028 season.
The team also confirmed over the weekend that starting center Ryan Kelly has retired, creating a notable void along the offensive line that the organization will need to address in the coming weeks through free agency or the upcoming NFL Draft.
Together, the signings and retirement mark a busy stretch for the Vikings as they reshape their roster heading into the 2026 season.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
