Vikings OL Joe Berger Leaning Toward Retirement After 2017 Season

Vikings OL Joe Berger told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press on Thursday that he’s leaning toward retiring from the NFL after the 2017 season.

“You never know what the circumstances are going to be, but in my mind, that’s the way I’m looking at it,” Berger said. “It’s year 13 and it’s been fun. It’s a young man’s game, though.’’

Berger has been working as the team’s right guard with Nick Easton playing center with the first-team offense this summer. Minnesota also used a third-round pick on Pat Elflein, who could end up being their long-term solution at center, so it makes sense for them to shift Berger to guard where they could use some help.

Berger, 35, is a former sixth-round pick of the Panthers back in 2005. He had brief stints with the Dolphins and Cowboys before eventually signing on with the Vikings in 2011.

Berger is currently in the final year of his contract and stands to make a base salary of $1.3 million for the 2017 season.

In 2016, Berger appeared in 14 games for the Vikings and was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 12 guard out of 72 qualifying players.