Vikings Release Michael Jenkins, Clear More Cap Space

Dec 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Jenkins (84) runs onto the field before the game with the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Jenkins was brought in two years ago to lend some veteran depth to a young receiver corps. Nobody really expected a ton from him and frankly he didn’t deliver a ton. Last year it became evident that, physically at least, Jenkins has come to the end of the line. With the Vikings owing the receiver a roster bonus of $2.4 million, his release was pretty much a foregone conclusion.

So, no surprise that on Monday the Vikings cut ties with Jenkins. The move clears $3.25 million in cap space, leaving the Vikes $17.5 million under the cap.

That’s a fair amount of cap room. And the Vikings could clear even more by reworking the contracts of Kevin Williams, Jared Allen and Antoine Winfield. Point being, they’re going to have some cap room to work with should they choose to dip into free agency.

Who might they target in free agency? Well they’ve got an opening on the receiver corps now. Maybe Greg Jennings? The Packers decided not to franchise tag him on Monday. Maybe Mike Wallace?

We’ll see.

As for Mr. Jenkins. It’s hard to see him having a future in the NFL. Old, slow receivers don’t have a ton of value on the market.

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