Vikings Rumors: Hooker Time, Salary Cap Growth, & Say It Ain’t So, Teddy
K. Joudry
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We’ve officially transitioned into the portion of the year when Vikings rumors are going to be coming fast and furious.
As a result, I’m returning to the “Vikings Rumor Wrangle,” a series I’ve leaned on previously to keep readers informed on what’s being whispered about in Vikings Land. In this iteration, we discuss the Hendon Hooker theories, how the team can still clear room for the salary cap, and the apparent interest between the Lions and Teddy Two Gloves.
The Vikings Rumors – 04.12.2023
Rumor #1 – Hendon Hooker Will Be a Vikings Draft Pick
Maybe. Maybe not. When’s the last time the NFL Draft was completely predictable?
Look, drafting a QB makes a ton of sense. In fact, bringing a young thrower to Minnesota would fulfill the competitive rebuild philosophy Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has become famous for promoting. Former Vikings linebacker and current analyst Ben Leber seems to be high on the QB.
Nevertheless, we can’t know for certain what will occur in a little more than 2 weeks.
Recently, Dustin Baker discussed the situation on Vikings Territory. In his opinion, needing to sink an opening-round selection into the still-injured QB isn’t wise. The reasonably advanced age doesn’t help and nor does the offensive system he played in during his college years.
In the opening round, I’d expect Adofo-Mensah to target corner, pass rusher, or receiver. Otherwise, a trade down is the likeliest scenario. If Hooker remains beyond RD1, then a Minnesota selection gets a lot more likely.
Rumor #2 – The Vikings’ Dead Last Cap Hit Isn’t a Major Issue
Very true.
Yes, the initial glance at the purple finances does raise some alarm. Sitting in the top spot is certainly preferable to being dead last. Nevertheless, Vikings fans don’t have to be overly concerned.
Consider, for instance, 4 moves that are very possible:
| Player | Cap Manoeuvre | Savings |
| O’Neill, Brian | Restructure | $10,065,000 |
| Hockenson, T.J. | Extension | $6,599,200 |
| Smith, Za’Darius | Trade | $12,156,861 |
| Cook, Dalvin | Trade | $7,898,727 |
| Total Cap Room Added: | $36,719,788 |
What happens when we add the above total to the $1,458,867 million in current room? The team gets catapulted from worst to first.
Currently, the NFL’s top team for cap space is the NFC North rival Chicago Bears. They have a bit less than $37.5 million in room. The hypothetical cost-cutting measures and current cap space would involve the Vikings leapfrogging Chicago, as well as every other NFL team.
The point, folks, is simply that things aren’t nearly as dire as you’ve sometimes been led to believe.
Rumor #3 – Teddy Bridgewater May Soon Join the Kardiac Kitties
Currently, that’s a distinct possibility.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Lions have made a strong offer: “Free agent QB Teddy Bridgewater has interest from several teams, including a strong contract offer from the Lions, per source. Bridgewater hasn’t decided where he’s playing as he takes his time this offseason. Bridgewater can reunite w/ Dan Campbell from their New Orleans days.”
Mike Zimmer believed that the 1st-round QB would be his signal caller for his whole career in Minnesota. The injury, though, undermined that possibility. Instead, Bridgewater has become a journeyman, someone who excels as a QB2 or as a stopgap solution for various franchises. Most recently, he played in Miami, but he has also had stops in New Orleans, Carolina, and Denver.
Jared Goff is the QB1 and he’s unlikely to hand over the job. OC Ben Johnson (who remained in Detroit) did a marvellous job of putting his QB in a position to succeed. Goff led his squad to a 9-8 record behind his 65.1 completion percentage, 4438 passing yards, 29 TDs, and 7 INTs.
Last season, Bridgewater carried a $6.5 million cap hit. The Fowler tweet suggests Detroit made a reasonably robust offer, so perhaps the deal would come in at a similar number. Detroit is working with a touch less than $23 million in cap space.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
