Vikings Shave a Bit More Cap Space
Dustin Baker
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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