Coach Zimmer reacts as Vikings add faces old and new to roster this week
EAGAN, Minn. (KMSP) - The Vikings are trying to win their first Super Bowl with the help of some new teammates as Kicker Dan Bailey is making the move to Minnesota.
Wednesday, Fox 9 heard from Bailey for the first time after taking over for Daniel Carlson, who was kicked to the curb after some poor performances.
It’s hard to argue with the decision after what fans saw from Carlson Sunday in a tie with the Packers.
Three missed field goals in one game certainly isn't going to get the job done, so the Vikings hit the free agency market and they brought in the second most accurate kicker in NFL history in Bailey.
The Vikings put together a great comeback Sunday at Lambeau Field but the result wasn't enough to satisfy Mike Zimmer.
"We felt like we needed to make some moves after that game,” Zimmer said Wednesday.
"If it was possible, I wanted to go somewhere that had an opportunity to win and be a part of an organization that's right there and right on the brink of having a lot of success so obviously when this situation came up, it fit the bill perfectly,” Bailey said.
"He's been a really good kicker and, you know, hopefully he's really really good for us,” Zimmer said.
Minnesota also added another piece to its defense, but it came in the form of a familiar face.
Tom Johnson, who was recently released by Seattle is making his return to Minnesota after spending the past four seasons in a Vikings uniform. He says the decision to come back was an easy one to make.
"We had a couple offers from other teams or whatever and out of other teams, I felt like this would be the best fit you know?” Johnson said. “This is where, pretty much, my career, you know, started going up so I think it's a good fit and things can only get better."
Both players feel they still have plenty left to give and both Johnson and Bailey say they're motivated to prove the Vikings right for taking a chance on them.
"Minnesota is stacked everywhere, all good players everywhere so I can come in and contribute how I want to contribute, get some pass rush, do what I got to do and help the team out as much as possible,” said Johnson.
"The guys in the locker room have been great, it's really a great locker room so it was kind of an easy decision for me,” Bailey added.
We'll see Bailey in his first game with the Vikings this Sunday when Minnesota hosts Buffalo at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings issued their first injury report of the week and Center Pat Elflein was listed as a full participant.
Elflein has yet to play this season after recovering from offseason shoulder and ankle surgery but he would be a welcome addition to that Vikings offensive line if he plays.
The Vikings also added Wide Receiver Aldrick Robinson this week to bolster the team’s positional depth.