Signing J.C. Tretter Would Make Vikings Free Agency a Huge Success
K. Joudry
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Imagine, if you will, how Minnesota fans will react to news that the Vikings have signed J.C. Tretter.
To be clear, I have no insider knowledge on this matter. There have been a few rumblings about purple interest, though it’s tough to say how legitimate that interest really is. One has to think that the team has, at the very least, made a phone call or two. Making a phone call, though, is a long way from actually inking someone to a deal worth millions of dollars.
Nevertheless, the possibility remains.
As we’ve known for a little while, the interior of the Vikings’ iOL needs tremendous work. Thankfully, Ezra Cleveland showed some really positive things as a sophomore LG. I don’t think he’ll develop into Quenton Nelson, but he’s a good offensive lineman, one who fits the offense well. We can’t say the same about the center and right guard positions.
Those among us who are a touch more pessimistic will think that the idea of a J.C. Tretter deal with the Vikings is mere wishful thinking. Perhaps it is. Several said that about adding Za’Darius, though. I understand that resources are finite in the NFL, and I also understand that the team needs to bring in corner talent. Could the team still find a way to make it all work?
Once the details emerge, I expect we’ll learn that Smith’s deal backloads the money. Doing so lessens the financial burden in 2022. If that’s the case, this team could still have a few bucks to spend. Currently, they have $14.25 million, per Over the Cap (and that’s without factoring in the Thielen restructure). Plus, there are still options surrounding C.J. Ham, Eric Kendricks, and Dalvin Cook that could free up more room.
Last season, Tretter had an $11 million cap hit. He finished at the NFL’s 6th-best center, per PFF, playing over 1000 snaps. His pass blocking was 2nd in the NFL.
An interesting comparable may be the deal for Ben Jones, another veteran center with a long history of strong play. He signed a 2-year deal that averages $7 million per season. The first year of the deal, though, only comes with a $3.4 million cap hit.
Signing J.C. Tretter could involve a similar deal with the Vikings. If that occurs, this fanbase will (for the most part) be fully on board for the 2022 season.
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