Vikings continue defensive shuffle by adding LB Jordan Hicks

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The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms Tuesday on a two-year, $12 million contract with linebacker Jordan Hicks, continuing a revamp on defense to fit a new scheme and work around the salary cap.

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Hicks spent the last three seasons with Arizona. Because the Cardinals released him last week, he was eligible to get a deal formally done with any team prior to the start of the new league year on Wednesday. Otherwise, players can't sign with new clubs until then.

Hicks will likely slide into new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell's system as an every-down linebacker next to 2019 All-Pro pick Eric Kendricks.

The 29-year-old Hicks was a third-round draft pick by Philadelphia in 2015 who played his first four seasons with the Eagles, winning a Super Bowl in 2017-18. He has started 51 straight games — plus one in the 2021 playoffs for the Cardinals — for the third-longest active streak by NFL linebackers.

The Vikings also kept up their defensive line shuffle by finalizing the release of nose tackle Michael Pierce for salary cap savings ahead of free agency. The seventh-year veteran played in only eight games for the team.

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (45) celebrates with middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) after sacking New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The move will save more than $6.2 million on Minnesota's cap number. Pierce will leave a $4 million charge in dead money for the remaining prorated portion of the bonus he signed for in March 2020.

The Vikings reached a