Between the NFL Combine (February 26th-March 4th) and the 2019 NFL Draft (April 25th-27th) comes an important step in every team’s offseason process; the re-signing of internal personnel. Last season, the Vikings created headlines during an exciting in-house free agency period, freeing up over $50 million in salary cap space after letting three prominent quarterbacks walk, along with running back Jerick McKinnon.
The team used a lot of that money to extend some key players and bring in some of the top available free agents.
While this offseason will undoubtedly provide another much-publicized stretch in early March, this time around, the acquisitions may not be as glamorous as yesteryear. Why? The Vikings are strapped for cash, and they’ll need to be strategic in their spending.
When the new league year begins on March 13th, the Vikings will have a projected $6.9 million in cap space according to OverTheCap.com. While that number is fluid and doesn’t necessarily make retaining the team’s top free agents impossible, it makes it interesting to say the least.
One thing working in the team’s favor is the number of large contracts that need to be handed out. Two immediately come to mind. Anthony Barr and Sheldon Richardson are the obvious headliners. Will the team be able to retain the two stout defenders while also being able to improve the offensive line, fill out the rest of the roster and sign draft picks? That’s the No. 1 question currently surrounding the Minnesota Vikings.
While Barr and Richardson are the main talking points, there are many more important decisions that need to be made. With contract deadlines approaching in just over a month, let’s take a look at what lies ahead as the team prepares to mold its 2019 roster.
Restricted free agents (RFA) are players with three accrued seasons. The current franchise is given right of first refusal on any offered contract. Depending on the level of the tender offered, the current team may receive draft pick compensation for losing said player. Possible tenders include first-round, second-round, original-round, and right of first refusal only. Here are the projected amounts of the 2019 RFA tenders:
Exclusive rights free agents (ERFA) are players with two or fewer accrued seasons. They must sign with the current team or become an unrestricted free agent if they are not offered a contract by their current team.
Here are dates when certain clauses in player’s contracts will trigger for Vikings personnel this offseason, per OTC:
DATE | PLAYER | TRIGGER | BASE SALARY |
---|---|---|---|
March 12th | Andrew Sendejo | Deadline to exercise 2019 option | $5.45 million |
March 13th | Trae Waynes | Base salary becomes fully guaranteed | $9.069 million |
March 15th | Everson Griffen | 2019 salary becomes fully guaranteed | $10.9 million |
March 15th | Linval Joseph | Base salary becomes fully guaranteed | $8.9 million |
March 15th | Xavier Rhodes | Base salary becomes fully guaranteed | $10.4 million |
March 15th | Eric Kendricks | Base salary becomes fully guaranteed | $4.15 million |
March 15th | Stefon Diggs | Base salary becomes fully guaranteed | $8.9 million |
March 16th | Danielle Hunter | Base salary becomes fully guaranteed | $9.9 million |
May 2nd | Laquon Treadwell | Deadline to exercise fifth-year option | $1.8 million |
NOTE: The Vikings will clearly decline the fifth-year option of wide receiver Laquon Treadwell before the May 2nd deadline. The option would cost the team roughly $9.5 million in 2020.
The lack of cap space is a major motivator in the Vikings approaching some of their veterans regarding restructuring their contracts. Restructuring a player’s deal generally results in some sort of immediate signing bonus for the player while the majority of their cap hit is spread across the remaining years of the player’s contract. This gives the team immediate cap relief.
The Vikings have utilized this strategy quite often in recent years with players like Latavius Murray, Brian Robison, Jarius Wright and Adrian Peterson. This offseason, several players could be asked by the team to re-work their deals, including but limited to:
Please note the amount saved is how much cap space the team would receive by cutting the player. The amount saved on a restructure depends on the specific structure that’s agreed upon between the player and team.
The last two years the Vikings have extended Everson Griffen, Xavier Rhodes, Linval Joseph, Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks and Stefon Diggs. Is it finally time for Anthony Barr to receive his? And what about 2020 free agents like:
With all the decisions facing the team in the upcoming months, it’s shaping up to be an exciting offseason for the Vikings. What are your thoughts on how the front office should address in-house free agency? Leave your comments below.
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Great one-stop summary, Sean. Bookmarked!
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This is way above my pay grade. I have no idea what the team should do regarding restructures, cuts, acquisitions etc... All I know is we need to make some changes, and figure out how to keep a bunch of players, without losing others. i don't know if it can be done where we have our cake and eat it too, but maybe there is a hidden formula the executives can figure out. Its over my head though. I just hope our team plays better next year and we finally win a Super Bowl.
Nice read ~ Its shaping up to be a lot of unknowns ~ Just a gut feeling on my part ~ I don't believe we will see that many cap casualties ~ As always please remember I know just enough to get us all in trouble ~ LOL
The OL is something that keeps me wondering ~ Is Easton ready ~ ??? I have no doubt the Vikings know right now ~I had two discs fused and heal just fine in 2 months with no limits ~ I know I don't play in the NFL ~ I'm just saying the Vikings know right now~
I do not believe the blocking scheme JDF brought with him fit the talent at hand ~ No one improved outside of O'Neill ~ I believe this is one of the many reasons to hire Kubiak and his boys ~ Just has me wondering how many changes will be made on the OL~ I'm just going to take the wait and see approach ~ We will know more once the finish filling out their coaching staff~
I don't know how they are going to do it but I believe they will get done what they want too ~
Totally agree with you about JDF.
Interesting point about Easton, would be great if he came back to compete for a spot. Sounds like they could "blow things up" on the o-line according to PA.