NFL fans love to play general manager. They enjoy playing with the idea of releasing players to add free agents, having players restructure, or just plain releasing ineffective players. Fans of the Minnesota Vikings are no different.
Sep 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman looks on prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Coming into the 2015 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings will have some tough decisions to make. They will have to cut, sign, and restructure players to devise the best possible 53 man roster to put on the field and represent the team. Some of the decisions will probably be unpopular. Other decisions might be absolute head scratchers. But they will all originate from the front office of the team.
For the purpose of discussion, I wanted to present the top 10 salaries for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2015 season before free agency or any other signings are made. This should open a dialogue between fans as to what the best course of action for some of these players would be.
All salaries, cap hits, and guaranteed money are taken from Spotrac.com. So let’s get the countdown rolling!
(Note: This article does NOT include the salary of recently acquired WR Mike Wallace)
#10: Matt Cassel
Sep 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Base Salary: $4.15 million
2015 Salary Cap Hit: $4.75 million
Guaranteed: -none-
Matt Cassel entered the 2014 as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings but found himself on injured reserve early in the season after a foot injury sidelined him. Now that Teddy Bridgewater has taken the reigns of the team, it is expected that Cassel will act as the team’s backup quarterback for the 2015 NFL season.
Cassel should be considered a very capable backup and a good mentor for Bridgewater’s second season. In fact, don’t be surprised if the Vikings only go with 2 quarterbacks on their main roster for the 2015 season after losing Christian Ponder.
While cutting Cassel would save the team $4.75 million against the salary cap, finding another backup of his caliber and ability to mentor would be difficult in free agency. Expect him to be in Minnesota for the 2015 season.
***UPDATE 3/4/15***
Matt Cassel has been traded to the Buffalo Bills. Minnesota will no longer be on the hook for his 2015 salary.
#9: Brian Robison
Nov 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison (96) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Base Salary: $4.15 million
2015 Salary Cap Hit: $5.45 million
Guaranteed: $3 million
Defensive end Brian Robison really seemed to struggle to bring down quarterbacks during the 2014 season for the Minnesota Vikings. He only had 4.5 sacks on the season after having 8 or more the previous three years.
However, his veteran status could make him a valuable player. Since he dealt with several injuries last season to his ankle, glutes, and other various body parts, that could have had a major impact on his effectiveness.
Considering his guaranteed money compared to his cap hit, Brian Robison should have at least one more season to redeem himself. Playing opposite breakout player Everson Griffen is a great thing for Robison, who found himself the focus of defenses after pass rush expert and current Chicago Bears defensive end Jared Allen left in free agency.
#8: John Sullivan
Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan (65) gets ready to snap the ball in the game with the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Vikings win 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Base Salary: $4.65 million
2015 Salary Cap Hit: $5.75 million
Guaranteed: $1 million
John Sullivan was the only reliable starter on the offensive line for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2104 NFL season. That shouldn’t be a surprise since he’s constantly been solid for the team since he was drafted in 2008.
While the pieces around him were either injured or ineffective, Sullivan was an anchor. He had to deal with another season in Minnesota of dealing with multiple quarterbacks taking snaps in games (Matt Cassel, Teddy Bridgewater, Christian Ponder). Sometimes, changes along the line or at quarterback can be a disaster for a center, but he handled it like a professional.
While releasing John Sullivan would save $4.75 million against the salary cap, it would likely be impossible to replace his effectiveness at the cost, so Sullivan‘s spot on the roster should be considered safe.
#7: Matt Kalil
Nov 23, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Matt Kalil (75) blocks against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Base Salary: $3.09 million
2015 Salary Cap Hit: $6.29 million
Guaranteed: $6.29 million
Matt Kalil was a player that had the fan base extremely confused and furious at times. In the middle of the season, Kalil had a stretch of games so bad that fans on social media were calling for him to be cut from the team and even resulted in a face to face altercation with a fan outside the stadium.
Sadly, his release made no sense since the team is on the hook for the 2015 salary. The fact that his money is fully guaranteed assures that he’ll be back with the team.
Recently, Kalil spoke about his confidence issues and sounds like he’s back on track to being a solid left tackle in the NFL. He’ll enter a contract year with the Minnesota Vikings, so look for him to play extra hard for a big payday after this season.
#6: Kyle Rudolph
Sep 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) against the New England Patriots at TCF Bank Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Base Salary: $4.9 million
2015 Salary Cap Hit: $6.55 million
Guaranteed: $5.2 million
After signing a massive 5 year, $36.5 million extension during the offseason, Kyle Rudolph couldn’t stay healthy enough during the season to make good on the deal.
Rudolph was only active for 9 games during the 2014 season and caught just 24 passes for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns. In 2015, he will need to have a much bigger impact on the game in order to seem worth the large deal he signed.
Typically, it isn’t a good practice to ask for a player to take a pay cut after one disappointing year. Look for the Vikings to give the tight end one more season to prove that he can stay healthy enough to be an impact player with the team before they consider attempting to rework his deal.
#5: Phil Loadholt
Oct 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Phil Loadholt (71) walks on the sidelines against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Base Salary: $4.4 million
2015 Salary Cap Hit: $6.75 million
Guaranteed: $3.5 million
Phil Loadholt is one of the best run blocking offensive tackles in the NFL, but he sadly was unable to perform his duties when a torn pectoral muscle put him on the shelf during the 2014 NFL season.
There should be little concern for his value when he’s healthy enough to return. The right side of the offensive line with Loadholt and Fusco are a running back’s dream and are capable enough pass blockers to get the job done.
There should be no doubt that Loadholt will return for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2015 NFL season.
#4: Everson Griffen
Nov 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) celebrates his sack against the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Base Salary: $6.9 million
2015 Salary Cap Hit: $8.2 million
Guaranteed: $11.7 million
Many experts laughed at the Vikings when they signed the defensive end to a huge 5 year, 42.5 million dollar contract. However, Griffen silenced the critics by putting together one of the best seasons for a defensive end during the NFL season.
During the 2014 campaign, Everson Griffen showed that he could do it all. He ended the year with 12 sacks, 56 tackles, 3 passes defended and 1 forced fumble as well as one touchdown from a blocked punt.
As Griffen continues settling into his starting role, look for him to continue getting better. He should continue earning his contract and his status in Minnesota shouldn’t be in question.
#3: Chad Greenway
Oct 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Chad Greenway (52) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Base Salary: $7 million
2015 Salary Cap Hit: $8.8 million
Guaranteed: $1.7 million
So many fans are torn about what Chad Greenway can do for the team. Some see him as a linebacker who has lost a step over the years and can’t compete at the level that he was previously playing at. Others see a reliable player who is always at or near the top of the team statistics in tackles and isn’t afraid to get physical or play through painful injuries.
It will be interesting which of these views the Minnesota Vikings front office will have on Greenway. It’s already been stated that the linebacker would like to play his entire career with the team, but he’d also like to play one more season.
Will Minnesota be able to let him play out another year with the Vikings? Or will he be asked to restructure or possibly even be released this offseason? Sadly, Greenway’s future is completely up in the air at this point.
#2: Greg Jennings
Dec 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings (15) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Base Salary: $8.9 million
2015 Salary Cap Hit: $11 million
Guaranteed: $6 million
Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings got paid like a #1 wide receiver to come to Minnesota for the 2013 NFL season. But since arriving in Minnesota, he has only averaged 773 yards and five touchdowns per season.
Still, Jennings had to deal with many issues during his time in Minnesota. He’s played with 4 different starting quarterbacks and two different coaching staffs in his two years with the Vikings. Still, more is expected from the established veteran.
Releasing Greg Jennings would leave the Vikings with Jarius Wright as their veteran pass catcher and save the team $5 million against the salary cap. While that could be an enticing thought, look for the Vikings to hold on to Jennings through the 2015 season.
***Update: Greg Jennings was released on March 14, 2015
#1: Adrian Peterson
Sep 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) looks on during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The Vikings defeated the Rams 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Base Salary: $12.75 million
2015 Salary Cap Hit: $15.4 million
Guaranteed: $2.4 million
The nice thing is that I don’t have to explain what went wrong with Adrian Peterson’s 2014 season. Every form of media has grabbed this story and ran with it, leaving almost no details to the imagination. Still, he is under contract by the Minnesota Vikings for the 2015 season and takes the biggest bite out of the team’s salary.
There are numerous question marks out there about Peterson. Is he in playing shape? Do the team and coaches want him back with the team? Does Peterson even want to come back to Minnesota?
And, of course, is he still worth carrying a $15.4 million price tag for the 2015 season? Releasing him would free up $13 million against the salary cap, which could allow the Vikings to make a run at other high profile running backs. But there is no other running back on the football field like the 2012 NFL MVP.
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