The free agency window will officially open on March 17th. As of now, the Vikings aren’t in a great place to make any more moves.
Minnesota has already reached an agreement with DE Stephen Weatherly. However, the team seems to be over the salary limit. If the $ 180 million floor becomes the salary ceiling, Minnesota will have to make tough decisions to free up space.
Here are some of the decisions the team could make before signing more players. Now I disagree with all these things, but they are all possibilities right now. Here’s the full list:
K and Bailey
Minnesota Vikings kicker Dan Bailey. Photo; AP Photo / Jason Behnken
The Vikings have amassed $ 1.7 million in cap savings and $ 2.1 million in dead money with the move to scrap Bailey, according to Over The Cap.
Bailey struggled tremendously last season. Two of his last three NFL seasons have been inconsistent. The team also signed Greg Joseph off-season. It may be time to leave Bailey.
P Britton Colquitt
Minnesota Vikings punter Britton Colquitt. Photo: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images
By letting Colquitt go, Minnesota saves more than $ 1.7 million in capital savings and makes more than $ 1.4 million in dead money, per Over The Cap.
This is another step that wouldn’t create a huge cap space. However, it is a logical move. Colquitt struggled at times last season and has an expensive contract for a gambler. Minnesota could cut him and sign a cheaper gambler during the free agency window.
DT Shamar Stephen
Minnesota Vikings Shamar Stephen defensive tackle. Photo: AP Photo / David Berding
Shamar Stephen had a PFF rating of 61.7 on the nose gear. With Michael Pierce supposedly in Minnesota next season, it may not make sense to keep Stephen’s contract. Granted, Pierce isn’t going to play more than 600 snaps, but Stephen remains hard to rationalize on his current deal.
The Vikings are getting $ 3.75 million in cap savings and taking a dead money hit of over $ 1.3 million with the move to cut him down, per Over The Cap. If Stephen isn’t a nose tackle or three-technique defensive tackle starter next season, his contract may be too expensive to keep.
LT Riley Reiff
Minnesota Vikings Riley Reiff offensive tackle. Photo: AP Photo / David Berding
I especially don’t want the Vikings to do this. I think the team should prioritize keeping Reiff out of season. He’s a good left tackle and on that basis his contract is in no way blatant.
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reported that the Vikings want to restructure this off-season with Reiff. Hopefully the team can do that, but if not, the cutback from the limit would make this move tempting to them.
The Vikings save $ 11.75 million if they cut it back and make $ 3.2 million in dead money. Generally, they shouldn’t be saying goodbye to Reiff, but the team could do it to get below the salary cap.