This is one roster move that should come as absolutely no surprise to Minnesota Vikings fans.
After learning of Jerome Simpson receiving police citations for marijuana and alcohol offenses, the Vikings cut ties with the troubled wide receiver. Simpson was currently serving a 3 game suspension for a previous violation of the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy, which almost forced the team to take this action.
Here is the tweet from Fox Sports NFL confirming the move:
The #Vikings announce they have released WR Jerome Simpson
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 18, 2014
Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson (81) against the Chicago Bears at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
While Jerome Simpson has provided Vikings fans with some really good moments with the team and has always been very nice to his fans on social media, there comes a time when a person just makes too many bad decisions and you just struggle to support them anymore. Considering the fact that the team brought Simpson back on a one year deal worth near league minimum for a player of his stats, the team doesn’t lose out on much by releasing him and free up a roster spot to either bring fullback Zach Line back up to the 53 man roster or bring in a new player.
The Vikings will most likely move forward with the 5 wide receivers they currently have on their main roster. Patterson, Jennings, Wright, Thielen, and Smith should be able to provide quality targets without another veteran presence on the team.
Seeing Simpson signal for a first down was one of the most fun parts of a game when he was playing and his smiles on the sidelines were infectious.
We at The Viking Age hope that Jerome Simpson can clean up his act and return to the NFL.