Desmond Bishop to choose between Chiefs, Vikings, per report

Bishop will reportedly visit the Chiefs Thursday and make a decision on where he'll play in 2013 soon after.

By Griffin Gotta Jun 20, 2013, 10:34am EDT

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After visiting the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, free agent linebacker Desmond Bishop will meet with the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday and make a decision between the two teams shortly thereafter, according to a report from Mike Garafolo of USA TODAY Sports on Thursday.

The source in Garafolo's report states that Bishop, even though the Jacksonville Jaguars were thought to be interested in the six-year veteran, will probably choose between only the Vikings and Chiefs.

Bishop, who missed the entire 2012 season with a torn hamstring, was released by the Green Bay Packers this week after the two sides couldn't come to terms on a restructured, less-lucrative contract for this season. The move was believed to be based primarily on Green Bay's wariness regarding Bishop's health, but the linebacker has stated that he'll be good to go once training camp rolls around in late July.

More: Vikings LB Erin Henderson: 'I'm playing the Mike' Arrowhead Pride's continuing coverage of Bishop's visit

Vikings blog Daily Norseman said, as Bishop's Wednesday visit with the team was announced, that if healthy, he'd be a great addition to the defense:

"If the Vikings were to sign Bishop, it would do a lot to help their linebacking corps, provided that Bishop is fully recovered from his injury from last season. If he is, the Vikings would still be getting a pretty damn productive football player."

As Joel Thorman of Chiefs blog Arrowhead Pride awaits word on Bishop's meeting in Kansas City, he says new general manager John Dorsey, who formerly served in the Packers' front office, and head coach Andy Reid's individual philosophies should be an intriguing interplay to watch:

"Here's what's interesting to me: Dorsey has ties to him so you'd think he's interested. That could be what got the Chiefs foot in the door on his free agency visit list. That said ... Andy Reid historically hasn't invested heavily into his linebackers. Because of those competing dynamics I'm curious to see how this one turns out."

In 2011, Bishop racked up 115 combined tackles for the Packers in 13 regular-season games, along with registering five sacks and two forced fumbles. When healthy, he was one of Green Bay's dynamic, playmaking linebackers before and after their 2010-11 Super Bowl run.