The Viking Age
FanSided

Minnesota Vikings carry $2.1 million into 2016 NFL season

By Adam Carlson

Jan 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; An Minnesota Vikings helmet during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Minnesota won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; An Minnesota Vikings helmet during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Minnesota won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Minnesota Vikings will reap the benefits of thrifty spending, carrying over $2.1 million from the 2015 NFL season to spend during the offseason.

With the Minnesota Vikings staying under the salary cap for the 2015 season and the 2016 cap supposedly increasing dramatically, the team could have the buying power to make some major moves in free agency or lock up their players who are due to hit free agency soon.

Included in Minnesota’s available spending this offseason is $2.1 million, which is a carryover from the 2015 season according to an article on the TwinCities.com website. In total, it appears as though the Vikings will have approximately $24 million to spend in free agency if the Spotrac estimate of $155 million or ESPN estimate of $156 million are close to accurate.

Related Story: Minnesota Vikings plan to be aggressive this offseason

Odds are that much of this money will be offered to free agents with their contracts expiring this year or directed towards locking up players with one season left before hitting the open market, such as safety Harrison Smith or offensive tackle Matt Kalil.

One thing that if for certain is that having these kind of financial resources at the disposal of the Minnesota Vikings is a good thing. Not only can they lock up their own players, but they will likely have enough money left to try to draw in some other free agents around the NFL to help improve places on the roster that need competition or depth.

The team is projected to be 19th in the league in available salary cap when the actual number is announced by the NFL. While other teams may have much, much more money available, Minnesota has been building a young franchise that free agents may be very interested in coming to because of their upward swing over the last two seasons.

Next: 5 free agents who should be back with the Vikings in 2016

With Harrison Smith likely to be the priority to re-sign to a long-term deal this offseason, look for the essential part of the team to get the first shot at a chunk of the money. That’ll be followed by other in-house free agents and finally the team can look at some players from other teams who were  not signed.

Home/Minnesota Vikings News