The Viking Age
FanSided

Matt Kalil: Minnesota Vikings will retain left tackle (Report)

By Dan Zinski

Oct 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) and tackle Matt Kalil (75) pass protect for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) as Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) rushes in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) and tackle Matt Kalil (75) pass protect for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) as Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) rushes in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Matt Kalil will reportedly return to the Minnesota Vikings for the 2016 season, but will he get a long-term deal ahead of Wednesday’s deadline?

The Minnesota Vikings have a problem with their offensive line, and they apparently think Matt Kalil can be part of the solution.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Vikings plan to keep Kalil for the 2016 season even though he is owed $11.1 million for one year.

Kalil’s 2016 contract becomes fully guaranteed as of Wednesday, the official first day of the league year.

There had been speculation that the Vikings might cut Kalil rather than let his contract kick in, but it appears that option is not being considered.

The Vikings and Kalil could still work out a new long-term deal ahead of the deadline, thereby reducing the value of the contract for 2016 and giving the Vikings a little extra cap room, but so far there has been no indication that such a negotiation is in the works.

The Kalil situation was likely a factor in the Vikings dropping out of the bidding for free agent guard Kelechi Osemele, who is now reportedly headed to Oakland.

The Vikings have reportedly managed to work out a new contract with right tackle Phil Loadholt, who was set to count $7.75 million against the cap before the Vikings reduced his base salary to $2 million for one year.

With Kalil evidently coming back no matter what, the big question is who will line up alongside him at left guard.

Next: Osemele heads to Raiders

Brandon Fusco was brutal in 2015 at left guard, surrendering a league-high 54 QB pressures. The easiest fix for the situation would be signing a free agent.

With Osemele off the table, the top free agent guards include Richie Incognito (connection to Vikings O-line coach Tony Sparano), Evan Mathis, Brandon Brooks, Ramon Foster, Alex Boone and Jeff Allen.

Some think the Vikings should pick up a free agent center and slide veteran Joe Berger over to left guard. Complicating matters is the fact that starting right guard Mike Harris has still not re-signed and is receiving interest from other teams.

Home/Minnesota Vikings News