Do the Vikings Get Hurt by Waiting with Remaining Cap Funds?
Right now, the Minnesota Vikings have a significant amount of space under the salary cap and need help at multiple positions. Maybe they are waiting for other teams to make roster moves, but does waiting on the open market cost them?
Do the Vikings Get Hurt by Waiting with Remaining Cap Funds?
Looking at the Minnesota Vikings roster, it is evident that there has been a substantial turnover from last season. The quarterback position gets all the headlines, but a cornerback room that needed help also got new names. Brian Flores is continuing to craft his defense, and he lost a significant contributor in Danielle Hunter.
When considering what Kevin O’Connell’s roster looks like right now, it’s easy to see a few places that could use an infusion of talent. The cornerback room took a hit when tragedy struck Khyree Jackson, but there was already cause for concern there. The Vikings still have question marks at the third wide receiver position, and the defensive tackle role is largely unsettled.
Options on the open market are available at all positions. The defensive tackle spot isn’t pretty, but Hunter Renfrow, Stephon Gilmore, Xavien Howard, and others are logical fits that still don’t have a home. Unless the Vikings are waiting for someone to be cut, it seems like getting those bodies in camp would make sense.
Of course, veteran players don’t need the same ramp-up that those untested in the league would. However, O’Connell’s playbook is a monster, and Flores expects plenty from his group. Missing time to acclimate with teammates and settle into a new scheme doesn’t seem like a worthy reason to continue kicking the can down the road.
Veteran free agents still on the open market likely haven’t seen their offers roll in at the rate or valuations they once hoped for. That’s an unfortunate reality, but even injuries aren’t going to skyrocket their paydays suddenly. Most of what’s left available should be known commodities, and Minnesota doesn’t have much incentive to not look for ways to raise the water level.
As training camp kicks off, and the preseason comes knocking, the Vikings will need to figure out what they want to do with the fringes of the roster. Almost everything will hinge on the growth of Sam Darnold in a new system, but operating with a belief that it will work should mean giving the rest of the units the highest probability to succeed.
Money remains available to them, and talent remains unsigned. Find a pairing between both and go into the year ready to roll.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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