Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave in a game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 1, 2019. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Minnesota Vikings released former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Javon Hargrave on Wednesday.
Hargrave, who was drafted by the Steelers in 2016, carried a $21.4 million cap hit with $10.5M being in dead-cap according to Spotrac metrics. The Vikings saved just under $11M with the release of the 33-year-old veteran.
The Vikings were up against the salary cap, so they had to make extensive cuts and restructures before the new league year.
Hargrave just signed a two-year, $30 million contract with the Vikings during the 2025 offseason, but he had a disappointing first season.
The 6-foot-2, 307-pound defensive tackle recorded just 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 16 games.
Hargrave spent the first four years of his professional career in Pittsburgh, racking up 168 tackles, 14.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave during a game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 16, 2019. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
However, following the 2019 season, he proved too costly for the Steelers to retain, and he joined the Philadelphia Eagles.
Hargrave had arguably the best season of his career with the Eagles in 2022, when he had a career-high 11 sacks to go along with 60 tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two passes defensed.
That season earned Hargrave an even bigger payday the next offseason, inking a four-year, $84 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
Unfortunately, Hargrave suffered a partially torn right tricep three games into the 2024 season and the 49ers released him in the offseason.
Hargrave hasn’t been the same player since, which could make him a cheap option if Pittsburgh is interested in a potential reunion, but the team will likely want to weigh all of its options before doing so.
A native of Salisbury, North Carolina, Hargave has recorded 432 tackles, 49 sacks, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and eight passes defensed in his NFL career.
Aaron Becker contributed.
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