Vikings Shave a Bit More Cap Space
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The deadline is approaching, and the Minnesota Vikings have until Wednesday, March 15th, at 3:00 pm CST to shimmy underneath the NFL’s salary cap. After releasing beloved linebacker Eric Kendricks on Monday, the team stood at $15.6 million over the cap.
More roster cuts, contractual restructures, or trades are expected in the next five days. A small transaction occurred Friday to clear space, and it involved defensive tackle Ross Blacklock.
Vikings Shave a Bit More Cap Space
Blacklock, who arrived in Minnesota via trade with the Houston Texans late last summer, freed up $683,000 in cap space with the move.
![Vikings Shave a Bit](https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Blacklock-788x444.jpg)
The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling tweeted Friday, “Vikings DT Ross Blacklock renegotiated his contract on Wednesday to the NFL veteran minimum of $1.010 million for 2023. The move saved the Vikings about $683,000 of cap space.”
According to Over the Cap, the Blacklock maneuver brings the Vikings to $15,096,863 in the red as of Friday morning, with more such moves upcoming.
![PurplePTSD: A Trade with Houston, Roster Is Out, Ed Ingram Takes His Throne](https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USATSI_17087561-788x443.jpg)
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded a 2023 6th-Round pick to Houston for Blacklock and a 7th-Rounder last August. Blacklock turned out to be a depth defensive tackle, playing 139 defensive snaps in 11 games last season. He was a 2nd-Round draft pick in 2020 — 18 picks after Justin Jefferson — so the Vikings evidently believe in his upside.
The Blacklock restructure won’t be the last Vikings tweak to the salary cap — and certainly not the most drastic — as other players, including longtime veterans — are expected to restructure or be released.
![Vikings Going Down](https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/USATSI_20108148-788x444.jpg)
Seemingly out of nowhere on Thursday, outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith tweeted, “I just want to say ‘Thank you!’ to Skol Nation for an amazing season & experience! Thank you to all of my Teammates, Coaches & the entire Minnesota Vikings Organization! ?.”
NFL insider Ian Rapoport retweeted Smith’s goodbye post and provided clarity, “Vikings Pro Bowl pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith informed the team that he wants to be released, I’m told. The team has no plans to do that. The situation remains unresolved.”
Minnesota will save $12.1 million in cap space if Smith gets his wish.
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For Blacklock, the 24-year-old Texas native could experience more playing time in 2023 as 2022 DT starter Jonathan Bullard is a free agent and can sign anywhere next week. It is unclear if Bullard is a priority to re-sign in Brian Flores’ new defense.
Other possible cap-casualty candidates include wide receiver Adam Thielen, running back Dalvin Cook, fullback C.J. Ham, linebacker Jordan Hicks, and the aforementioned Smith.
**Update: Wide receiver Adam Thielen was released moments after this article’s publication.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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