It would seem the Vikings weren’t too put off by Tuesday’s announcement that wide receiver Jerome Simpson will serve a three-game suspension to start the season.
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that the Vikings have signed Simpson to a one-year contract. Simpson is expected to provide the deep threat that the Vikings offense has been lacking after flashing the ability to make big plays with the Bengals last season.
Simpson hadn’t made good on the promise that made him a second-round pick in 2008 during his first three seasons, but things came together for him last year. He played all 16 games and caught 50 passes for 725 yards and four touchdowns. He will likely have the inside track on the starting wide receiver job opposite Percy Harvin, at least during the games he’s eligible to play next season.
Simpson served a 15-day sentence after pleading guilty to marijuana charges on March 1st. That’s what led to the suspension and what led Florio to wonder if it was all that wise to pursue a player with off-field issues while the team was trying to convince the government to come up with cash to build a new stadium. The stadium effort passed an important hurdle on Monday night and the Vikings obviously don’t feel adding Simpson to the mix is going to keep them from getting the new home they desire.