The Vikings Offseason Map Unfolds
Clues are percolating for the Minnesota Vikings offseason plans. As those breadcrumbs are acknowledged, the 2021 strategy gets closer to fruition.
The most integral questions after Week 17 of 2020 regarding player personnel included 1) Will the Vikings prioritize the defense after the team finished as the league’s fourth-worst squad via points allowed? 2) Is the offensive line finally approaching a long-sought-after resolution? 3) What pieces can be added to the secondary for support of the younger cornerbacks, Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney?
And all of these matters must be addressed on a puny budget. The Vikings were beneath the salary cap as the 2021 offseason commenced, so some painstaking trimming was in order.
That has begun.
The next flurry of news will transpire about one week from now. “Legal tampering” starts next Monday, 3/15, and players can formally sign with new teams [or old ones] on Wednesday, 3/17. Minnesota now has about $8 million in cap space after some emotional cuts to the roster. Yesterday, general manager Rick Spielman was staring at a ledger that depicted the Vikings $3 million or so underwater.
But today and tomorrow are new days.
Rudolph, Bailey, Reiff Released
The first emotional ripple was the release of Kyle Rudolph occurred on March 2. It was indeed financially time for Rudolph to pursue other interests, but the gut-punch sensation was palpable for fans. Rudolph departs the Vikings after a 10-year stay – one that he exited as the franchise’s ninth-most prolific scorer of touchdowns in team history. The 31-year-old will now chase targets or rings – or both – with another team in 2021.
The next domino fell in fateful fashion one week later. Kicker Dan Bailey was jettisoned on March 9, and the Vikings will have an honest-to-goodness “what’s next at kicker” summer on tap. Head coach Mike Zimmer is familiar with the process – one of which he is not a fan. At the moment, Minnesota rosters Greg Joseph, a young journeyman kicker that just might grab 2021’s kicking duties. If he is not a shoo-in for the gig next season, expect a free-agent like Nick Folk, Matt Prater, or Ryan Succop to receive some purple attention. No matter what outcome materializes, Vikings fans will hold their breath during Week 1 when field goals and extra points ascend the air – again.
Then on Wednesday, the all-telling humongous clue was revealed. The Vikings 2021 offensive line will look 40% different when compared to 2020. Why? Because Riley Reiff, the team’s longstanding left tackle, was waived in a cap-maneuvering transaction. Spielman saves $11 million for the salary cap and emerges from the depths of treacherous cap waters. Currently, the Vikings have about $8 million to spend on free agents (and there will be more moves). Presumably, some of that nest egg will be allotted for offensive lineman – hopefully not in the pockets of career backups.
Weatherly Added
Last week, the Vikings welcomed home Stephen Weatherly from the Carolina Panthers. Weatherly left the franchise at this time last year, only to encounter an underwhelming campaign in North Carolina. The 26-year-old admitted he was beset by personal complacency – a rather self-deprecating revelation.
Weatherly joins a crowded defensive-end room. Danielle Hunter will be back – we think – for 2021 and reclaim his LDE throne. Mystery sets in at RDE, however. The starter might be Weatherly. It could be the incumbent, Ifeadi Odenigbo. Upstart 2020 rookie D.J. Wonnum turned heads and may get some playing time at RDE. Even Jalyn Holmes could see defensive snaps.
It’s a logjam. An RDE-by-committee may be on the 2021 menu.
There is also a school of thought that suggests the Vikings will draft a defensive end like Kwity Paye from Michigan or Gregory Rousseau from Miami (FL). That man – Paye or Rousseau – would probably vie to start Week 1, making the Vikings a suddenly-deep squad at defensive end.
What’s Next
This could go two ways for “what’s next.” Spielman needs more money.
A player like Shamar Stephen may finally get his walking papers. He’s slated to earn roughly $5 million next season. Stephen is a decent role-playing defensive tackle, but he is probably not worthy of $5 million. Zimmer and Co., though, seem to enjoy his services. We shall see.
Furthermore, expect patented restructuring of deals in the coming days. These measures could affect Kirk Cousins, Anthony Barr, Britton Colquitt, Adam Thielen, Harrison Smith – or all of those men. Spielman has a track record of reworking deals at the 11th hour to relieve cap space just before free agency.
Why would 2021 be any different?