Now That the Vikings Have Made 1 Roster Cut, Who Could Be Next on the Chopping Block?
Josh Frey
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A year ago today, the Minnesota Vikings made their first roster cut of the 2023 offseason by parting ways with LB Eric Kendricks.
The Vikings got started a little earlier this offseason. Last week, they made the decision to part ways with starting RB Alexander Mattison. It was a move that saved them about $3.35 million in salary cap space, boosting the team to about $37 million to play with when free agency arrives next week. Here is a look at a few other players who could be cut next.
A Look at a Few Potential Vikings Roster Cuts
S Harrison Smith
Harrison Smith is one of the legendary Vikings from the modern era. After being selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Hitman has been a staple in the Vikings’ defense for over a decade.
The defender may be heading towards his final days with the Vikings, though. Smith is set to carry a whopping $19.2 million cap hit for his age-35 season, and the Vikings would be able to save right around $11.384 million of that 2024 cap hit if they were to cut him in the spring. Of course, Minnesota could still retain him on a pay cut, but regardless, don’t expect Smith to be playing on that $19.2 million hit this season.
C Garrett Bradbury
Garrett Bradbury has often been criticized for his abilities in pass protection over the years, but after a strong season in 2022, the Vikings opted to bring the center back on a three-year contract. However, he still has yet to prove himself as more than a decent starter in the NFL.
The Vikings could save around $2.5 million by cutting him before June 1st, or they could also opt to wait until the draft rolls around and see if they can find a suitable replacement. By designating Bradbury as a post-June 1st cut, they would save $4.95 million and could look to add free agents in the later stages of the offseason as a result.
QB Nick Mullens
Nick Mullens has proven to be a very capable backup quarterback, but especially if the Vikings are set to re-sign Kirk Cousins and draft another QB this spring, they simply don’t have the space on their roster to retain him along with Jaren Hall.
Mullens started three games for the Vikings after Cousins’ Achilles injury and threw for 1304 yards, seven touchdowns, and eight interceptions. If the Vikings were to cut him prior to June 1st, they’d save around $1.8 million. A modest amount, but any space helps.
KR/RB Kene Nwangwu
Kick returning duties have already been going by the wayside in the NFL, and while another rule change could begin to change that, it doesn’t necessarily change that Kene Nwangwu had his worst season in the NFL during 2023.
Nwangwu was hampered by injuries to begin the year, and he appeared in just nine games. He returned just 15 kicks last season, and his average of 25.3 yards per return was the lowest of his career. The running back has continuously seen a lesser role with the offense as well. If the Vikings were to part ways with him, they would save $1.05 million in cap space.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Over the Cap and Pro Football Reference.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.