Childress Hints That McKinnie Could be Gone

Brad Childress spoke about Bryant McKinnie, who has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from his Miami nightclub altercation.  Chilly is usually circumspect when dealing with this kind of stuff publicly, but today he came pretty close to saying McKinnie’s days as a Viking are numbered:

I know … [reporters] don’t want to hear, “Until I get the facts.”  But we could face some difficult decisions down the road. … Some [decisions] are tougher than others.

Bryant is entitled to his due process.  I’d just say that we’ve been consistent. The Wilfs have been consistent with the way we want the Vikings to be represented. I know what Zygi’s values are, and I know what my values are and I know what our collective Viking values are. … It’s difficult.

If the Vikings had some young prospect at tackle who could step in, I might be more inclined to believe McKinnie would be on the trading block.  But they don’t, and I don’t think he is.  Still, Chilly talking about values doesn’t bode well for McKinnie’s future in purple.  I don’t think he would bring that up if there weren’t serious discussions going on about getting rid of the guy.  And who knows how serious Zygi Wilf might be about wanting him gone.  We’ll have to see what they do in the draft.  If they take a left tackle in the first or second round, that could be a signal.