Report: Vikings’ Chad Greenway Working to Restructure Deal, Stay in Minnesota

For the Chad Greenway fans out there (myself included), you’ll be happy to see this tweet by USA Today’s Tom Pelissero:

Greenway has been one of those question marks as the Vikings have entered free agency, mostly because his contract takes up a good-sized chunk of Minnesota’s cap space.

In his tenth NFL year, he would count $8.8 million against Minnesota’s salary cap; if released, he would count a much smaller number ($1.7 million) against the cap. Last season Greenway willingly took a pay cut, restructuring his contract to stay in Minny, and it seems he is willing to do the same again.

Greenway missed four games due to injuries during the 2014 season. In the 12 games he started, he tallied 93 tackles. According to league stats, Greenway has led the NFL since 2007, with 984 tackles.

He’s not getting any younger, however, and there are several young guys on the current roster who have shown real potential for the starting line backer positions in 2015.

Minnesota selected LB Anthony Barr No. 9 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, and the rookie made an immediate impact. Barr started 12 games, and in his debut season he totaled 70 tackles and two forced fumbles. There is no doubt the 22-year-old will play a major role in the Vikings’ defense for seasons to come.

In addition to Barr proving his abilities, second- and third-year guys Gerald Hodges and Audie Cole took advantage of opportunities to step up and fight for starting positions as well.

Greenway has proven to be an important part of the Vikings roster, and it’s clear that the team wants to keep him aboard… at the right price. General manager Rick Spielman said the following on March 2:

“Chad Greenway, I think everybody knows what type of player and person he’s been and we’d love to have [him] finish as a Minnesota Viking. He’s under contract. There’s no deadline. We’re under the cap. There’s no deadline [on making that decision].”

Greenway has expressed on multiple occasions that he would like to stay with the Vikings:

“I’d like to be able to be a decade in a Vikings uniform. That’s always been a goal to finish here as a Viking.”

Hopefully, he and the front office can reach an agreement that will make sense for both sides.

 

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