Vikings Release Left Guard Alex Boone
Nick Gjerde
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On a day jam-packed with roster cuts as NFL teams move from 90 players down to 53, one of the most unexpected announcements of the day was the release of Vikings left guard Alex Boone. Boone signed a four-year $26.8 million contract with the team last spring, and played 14 games with the club in 2016. On a roster riddled with offensive-line woes, fans have a right to be shocked at the departure of an established eight-year veteran linemen.
According to radio personality and musician Chris Hawkey on a special Saturday edition of KFAN’s Power Trip morning show broadcasting out of the Minnesota State Fair, Hawkey mentioned Boone’s attitude with his teammates may have had something to do with his departure. Hawkey stated he admittedly didn’t know anything concrete about the situation, but that Boone may not have been the best fit for the locker room.
When it comes to an offensive line’s duty to protect the quarterback and open running lanes for the offense, it’s paramount the line forms a strong, cohesive unit on and off the field. Boone is notably on the record for ripping ex-teammate and former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for his kneeling protest of the national anthem, as well as responding to backlash from former teammate Adrian Peterson’s father, in statements that made clear the star running back was unhappy with Minnesota’s offensive line last season.
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reports the Vikings will pay Boone $3.4M of his contract in dead money. Nick Easton is expected to take over the vacant starting role at left guard, making the starting lineup now presumably consist of Riley Reiff, Nick Easton, Pat Elflein, Joe Berger, and Mike Remmers.