![transactions_announcement_stephen_wide[1]](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_editorial_landscape_12_desktop_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/broncos/ilzt9dclrox87uj2fnkg.jpg)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos have added depth to their defensive line.
Denver has agreed to terms with free-agent defensive lineman Shamar Stephen on a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday.
Stephen, a 30-year-old player, has spent six of his seven seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, where General Manager George Paton worked in the front office from 2007 until 2020.
Stephen has started 31 of 32 possible games over the previous two seasons as he's recorded 55 tackles, four tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three passes defensed.
The 6-foot-5, 309-pound player was drafted by the Vikings in the seventh round in 2014. He spent four seasons with the team before spending one year with Seattle in 2018. He started 14 games for the Seahawks during his lone season in Seattle. Stephen then rejoined the Vikings in 2019.
Stephen has been readily available during his NFL career, as he's appeared in 77 of a possible 80 games in the last five seasons.
The veteran defensive lineman joins Shelby Harris, Mike Purcell, Dre'Mont Jones, DeShawn Williams, McTelvin Agim, Jonathan Harris, Deyon Sizer and Isaiah Mack on the team's roster.
