Chad Greenway Reportedly Agrees to Restructured Contract With Vikings

Chad Greenway‘s first season in Mike Zimmer’s defense didn’t exactly go the way he or Zimmer envisioned. Nevertheless, the aging linebacker will reportedly be back for a second season as a member of Zimmer’s linebacker corps.

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Per media reports, the Vikings and Greenway have come to agreement on a new contract that reduces the linebacker’s 2015 base salary from $7 million to $3.5 million, a move that carves out $3.2 million in cap space for Minnesota.

The previously indestructible Greenway struggled physically in 2014, missing four games due to various injuries. His performance when he was able to play was spotty at best, miserable at worst. Missed tackles and bad coverage plagued the 32-year-old veteran known for his savvy if not necessarily his speed.

Younger, more-athletic players like Audie Cole and Gerald Hodges seemed to perform better at Greenway’s Will linebacker position when given chances, fueling speculation that the Vikings would simply part ways with the fading veteran.

But when the offseason rolled around the team insisted it wanted to retain Greenway. While veterans like Greg Jennings and Jasper Brinkley were being cast aside, Greenway remained in the fold.

Despite his plummeting PFF grades, mounting missed tackle numbers and propensity to give up big plays in the passing game, Greenway enters the 2015 season as the presumptive starting weak-side linebacker.

Greenway probably shouldn’t get too comfortable though, even with a new deal in hand. The Vikings are believed to be taking a hard look at various draft prospects who would fit nicely at the Will in Zimmer’s defense, including Washington’s Shaq Thompson.

Even if the Vikings don’t draft a linebacker to take Greenway’s job, he might have trouble fending off Gerald Hodges and Audie Cole, two players who showed flashes of ability in 2015 and should push to take away his job in camp.

The Will position probably could use a more athletic, hard-hitting downhill player than Greenway, and goodness knows he can’t be on the field in nickel. But he knows what he’s doing out there (presumably) and Mike Zimmer seems to like his veteran presence in the locker room.

Okay then.

Next: Mays Likely to Take On Rover Role for Mike Zimmer

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