The Minnesota Vikings will only enter Week 17 for the second time in six seasons without playoff aspirations, meaning Sunday’s encounter with the Detroit Lions could be the end of the road for numerous key players in press.
There has been a massive outing in the defense last season as the Vikings rectified an inflated cap situation, but the team was able to face another out-of-season with significant turnover as they made decisions on key free agents and again excessive want to drop salaries.
These five players have perhaps the most vigilant future with the team, so let’s evaluate each situation and see if each player might return.
LB ERIC WILSON
CONTRACT STATUS: Unlimited free agent
2020 OVERVIEW: If it’s for Eric Wilson in Minnesota, it was definitely a good run. Wilson will perform alongside Anthony Harris as one of the top-notch signings of the Zimmer-Spielman era. His role gradually increased each year until he inherited the position of starting linebacker in 2020. It became a starting star in Week 3, with Anthony Barr (pectoral) excluded for the season. Wilson filled the bag with three pockets, three interceptions and two awkward repairs, while also taking on responsibilities for the game. After Kendricks’ injury in Week 13, Wilson was the only frontrunner left in the linebacker. He has not missed a game in four seasons.
OUTLOOK 2021: Wilson’s success may have praised him from the Vikings’ series. On the open market, Wilson could use Nick Kwiatkoski’s free agent contract as a floor last season. The four-year part-time starter at the Chicago Bears has similar stats to Wilson and has signed a $ 21 million three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Vikings are not going to pay Wilson much money to return to the role as the third linebacker after Barr returns. Minnesota will have to release Barr and eat up $ 7.8 million in dead shells to even consider keeping Wilson around. Barr may be asked to take a pay cut, but he’s probably holding on and he’s much better at tackling than Wilson.
CHANCE OF RETURN: 5%
S ANTHONIE HARRIS
CONTRACT STATUS: Unlimited free agent
2020 OVERVIEW: It was nowhere near the season Anthony Harris had hoped for after setting himself up for a life-changing payday with his six interceptions in 2019. Yes, Harris earned more than $ 11 million on the franchise label this year, but things never quite felt right. He deals with trade rumors surrounding the draft, failed expansion talks and additional trade rumors on the deadline. All the while, he seemed to be struggling to adjust to life with rookies because the stress on Minnesota’s safety was greater than ever before. Harris has not intercepted for 15 weeks, missed nine dives of his career and found he was guessing incorrectly over several coverage that led to splash play. Harris ranks 32nd in starting safety at Pro Football Focus compared to his No. 2 rank a season ago.
OUTLOOK 2021: Although his share is likely to be under pressure last year, Harris could still take on a multi-year deal with the highest bidder, as he may not get another chance to make big money as he is already 29 years old. The Vikings do not have a clear safety to replace Harris, which could mean a rookie will play alongside Harrison Smith next year. If the scenario is a little too narrow for Minnesota, they might take the temperature Harris needs to hold on, but the prospect of giving Harris a long-term deal offers no good positional value, considering taken their small cap. situation. Minnesota has just as many dollars to spend this season, and the Vikings need to have more urgent priorities.
CHANCE OF RETURN: 5%
DT SHAMAR STEPHEN
CONTRACT STATUS: Signed until 2021 | Deposits in 2021: $ 5.08 million | Dead money: $ 1.33 million
2020 OVERVIEW: It has been repeatedly discussed how much the Vikings missed Michael Pierce this year. The big pick of the free agent chose because of COVID-19 and would return in 2021. Shamar Stephen switched from the 3-technique to the nose barrel to take Pierce’s place, a role that suited Stephen better, but his season still left much to be desired. He generated nine hits (T57th out of 69) and 16 runs (T50th out of 69) per PFF, despite playing the most snaps in his career.
OUTLOOK 2021: If the team had not been so emphatic about Stephen’s talent, it would have been difficult to see a role for Stephen in the 2021 team. Pierce will start on his nose, and Armon Watts, the third-year defensive tackle, could be a cheap, capable backup. Backup noses should not earn more than $ 5 million, let alone third-string nose levels. The Vikings could save more than $ 3.7 million by cutting Stephen, which looks easy. But the club’s insistence that Stephen’s impact goes beyond the score leaves a hint of hesitation.
CHANCE OF RETURN: 10%
TE KYLE RUDOLPH
CONTRACT STATUS: Signed until 2023 | Deposits in 2021: $ 9.45 million | Dead money: $ 4.35 million
2020 OVERVIEW: Aside from a handy touch with one hand in Week 3, it was a quiet year for Kyle Rudolph, who was forced to look off the sidelines during the current Minnesota three-slide, his Ironman series at 90 plus matches ended consecutively. . If he does not play Detroit on Sunday, Rudolph will finish with 334 yards, his lowest since an injury through 2014. He was useful as a blocker for Dalvin Cook and played a much-needed leadership role with a young player. team, but Irv Smith Jr. and even Tyler Conklin has shown over the past few weeks that life after Rudolph can look good.
OUTLOOK 2021: It was never likely that Rudolph would see the end of his four-year extension he signed in 2019. Given his declining returns on the field and his recent injury status, the Vikings probably have reason to come to Rudolph with a restructuring proposal. The tighthead became in November 31 and can see the text on the wall that his time as the tophead in the city ends. However, given the mutual loyalty between the two parties, it would not be outrageous to see Rudolph accept a reduced salary in a community where he is raising a family and has numerous charitable causes. The Vikings still need a deep place in Gary Kubiak’s attack, and Rudolph remains a viable threat to the red zone.
CHANCE OF RETURN: 30%
OT RILEY REIFF
CONTRACT STATUS: Signed until 2021 | 2021 Cap Hit: $ 11.75 million (per Pioneer Press) | Dead money: NA
2020 OVERVIEW: Riley Reiff only gets better with age, and he makes the Vikings’ decision much harder than once expected. Reiff seems to have nicely aligned with Kubiak’s plan. He built on a good 2019 with an even better 2020 that hardly happened when the Vikings approached him to take a pay cut. Reiff, who earns less than half of his original salary, allowed the least pressure (20) from any suit that played 1,000 or more snaps. His pass rate, according to Pro Football Focus, is on track to be his best since 2014. Reiff was also durable and has only put away four times in the Vikings in four seasons.
OUTLOOK 2021: Reiff’s willingness to accept a pay cut can be tested again, and it’s not clear what his dead money is under the parameters of his restructured deal. According to the Pioneer Press, the Vikings owe Reiff $ 5 million at the start of the league year and would reportedly have a cap of $ 11.75 million (compared to his original $ 13.95 million deal). It’s a lot of dough, but again, Reiff was solid and presumably the left-wing approach of future Ezra Cleveland made a transition to guard this year. It is possible that another restructuring would offer incentives such as Reiff’s 2020 agreement, which enabled him to earn back $ 2 million in playtime bonuses. Alternatively, the Vikings can reduce Reiff’s hood number by a short extension that offers warranties spread over several seasons. Reiff’s first few seasons in Minnesota were overwhelming enough that fans were never attached to the left kit, but it’s suddenly likely that he’s going to stay with the Vikings until 2021 if the parties can agree.
CHANCE OF RETURN: 50%