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Vikings’ Duke Shelley, Khyris Tonga bringing ‘little extra oomph’ against former Bears team

chris tomasson, pioneer press
·4 min read
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Vikings cornerback Duke Shelley was asked Friday if he had a message for Chicago fans, and he didn’t hesitate to provide one.

“If I was talking to Bears fans, I would say, ‘Revenge game for me,’ ” he said.

Shelley played for the Bears the previous three seasons before he was released Aug. 31 and then picked up by Minnesota the following week. Shelley since has moved into the starting lineup for the Vikings (12-4), who will play at Chicago (3-13) in Sunday’s regular-season finale.

Shelley isn’t the only Bears castoff expected to be in the lineup against his former team. Defensive lineman Khyris Tonga, who played for Chicago last season as a rookie, was waived by the Bears on the same day as Shelley before later joining the Vikings.

“Tonga’s my guy,” Shelley said. “We’ve been talking a lot lately this week that this game has got a little extra oomph. He’s got the same kind of mindset I’ve got going into the game.”

Shelley, though, is being more vocal about it than Tonga. Shelley, a sixth-round draft pick by Chicago in 2019 out of Kansas State, was let go after starting six of the 30 games he played for the Bears.

“I’ve been thinking about (this game) since I got here,” said Shelley, who initially was signed Sept. 6 by Minnesota to the practice squad. “I’m sure it’ll be a little emotional. I take it kind of personal (being released).”

Does Shelley believe the Bears made a mistake by letting him go?

“I think so, for sure,” he said. “When I was there, I felt like I was one of their top corners. It caught me by surprise (being waived).”

Shelley said he was given no explanation by the Bears on why he was released. Tonga, who started two of the 15 games he played last season after being taken in the seventh round of the draft out of BYU, said it was the same way with him.

“It’s a business,” Tonga said. “I’m just glad that somebody picked me up and is letting me thrive.”

Tonga said he wasn’t offered a spot on Chicago’s practice squad when he was let go. He joined Atlanta’s practice squad before being signed Oct. 5 to Minnesota’s active roster.

“I’m excited,” Tonga said of going against his former team. “It’s going to be fun just going against familiar people.”

Neither Shelley nor Tonga played when the Vikings beat the Bears 29-22 in the teams’ first meeting this season, on Oct. 9 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Shelley was still on the practice squad, and Tonga was inactive after having just signed with Minnesota.

Since then, both players have become fixtures on defense for the Vikings. Shelley is rated by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s No. 14 cornerback and Tonga as the No. 16 interior defensive lineman.

“It’s been huge to have those guys,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “They’ve played a lot of critical, critical snaps for us. And going back to the team they used to play for, (they) have a little bit of extra motivation, I think, against your former team.”

Tonga has played in the past 10 games for the Vikings, and made his first start for them in last Sunday’s 41-17 loss at Green Bay. He said he expects to start against the Bears.

Shelley, signed to the active roster on Nov. 12, has played in 10 games this season with four starts. He has been working with the first team all week, putting him in line to start a fourth straight game at right cornerback.

The previous starter, Cameron Dantzler, has been bothered by a left ankle injury the past two months, and is listed as questionable for Sunday. Dantzler said he tweaked the ankle Thursday in practice and doesn’t know if he will play.

“At the end of the day, whatever helps the team win,” Dantzler said of Shelley taking over as the starter. “So, if that’s the look they want to go with, then that’s fine with me. I just play my part, whatever that may be. He’s been doing a very great job for us.”

Although Shelley did start some games for the Bears, he said they played him out of position from the day he arrived.

“My whole career, I’d been playing outside corner,” Shelley said. “When I got drafted, I thought I’d get a chance to play outside, but (the Bears) slotted me in as a nickel. But I’m more comfortable on the outside. I’m just glad it’s ended up working out.”

It’s working out just fine in Minnesota for both Shelley and Tonga.

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