GREEN BAY − The Green Bay Packers received a big boost to their defensive line as former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave agreed to a contract, according to multiple media outlets. ESPN reported the deal is for two years and $23 million.
Hargrave, a 6-foot-2, 307-pounder who turned 33 last month, had 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 16 games for the Vikings last season. Hargrave was headed into the final year of the two-year deal he signed with Minnesota, but the Vikings chose to release him early March 11 to clear salary-cap space.
The move reunites Hargrave with new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who coached Hargrave during the 2021 and 22 seasons as the Eagles defensive coordinator.
A 2016 third-round draft pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hargrave is a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2021 and 2023). He has 432 total tackles, 49 sacks and five forced fumbles over his 10-year career.
He spent four years in Pittsburgh, before playing for three years with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2020-22.
Hargrave’s most productive years in the NFL came under Gannon’s system in Philadelphia. During the 2021 season, Hargrave had a career-high 63 total tackles and 7.5 sacks. In 2022, he had a career-high 11 sacks and 37 solo tackles. The ’22 team reached the Super Bowl.
Hargrave signed a four-year, $84 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. That year, he appeared in his second Super Bowl, recording one sack, one fumble recovery and six total tackles in the overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Three games into the 2024 season, Hargrave partially tore his right triceps, ending his season. He was released after two years and then made the move to Minnesota.
The Packers needed a lift on the defensive front after trading Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts this week, leaving them even thinner. They also brought back Jonathan Ford to provide depth. Hargrave’s size is a good fit for Gannon’s system, to add more 300-pound tackles inside to go with Devonte Wyatt, Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse. Hargrave adds experience to help the Packers.
This story was updated.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers to sign Javon Hargrave, defensive tackle released by Vikings
Reporting by Dominique Yates, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Packers News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
