The Minnesota Vikings have the highest-paid offensive line in the entire NFL, and this is how the salaries break down.
After the Vikings’ recent free agent moves, they now have the most expensive group of offensive linemen in the NFL. The Vikes knew they needed to get better on the line and they’ve taken every imaginable step to make sure that happens.
But just because you have an expensive offensive line, that doesn’t mean you will have a good offensive line. Here’s how the salaries break down. All salary information comes via Over the Cap.
Isame Faciane – Guard
The Vikes signed UDFA Faciane as a defensive tackle but last season they converted him to guard and put him on the practice squad. They liked him enough to bring him back on a futures contract. Looks like another year on the practice squad coming up for Faciane.
Carter Bykowski – Tackle
The Vikes plucked Bykowski off the 49ers practice squad two seasons ago and last year had to place him on IR after he fell victim to the team’s pectoral injury curse. Could conceivably wind up in the mix as a backup tackle.
Nick Easton – Center
Easton came over in the trade that sent Gerald Hodges to San Francisco. The Vikes picked Easton up because they needed insurance at center after John Sullivan went down to injury. Whether Easton sticks around could depend on whether Sullivan is able to return.
Zac Kerin – Center
Interesting fact: Zac Kerin works out with the same trainer as Alex Boone. In his first interview with KFAN, Boone sang the praises of Kerin to Paul Allen. Might end up in the mix as a backup.
Austin Shepherd – Guard
The Vikings took him in the seventh last year and, unlike fellow draft pick Tyrus Thompson, he survived through camp. If he sticks it will be as a backup.
Jeremiah Sirles – Tackle
Picked up in a trade at the end of training camp and spent most of the season on the inactive list. It will be a struggle for him to make the team with all the competition at tackle.
T.J. Clemmings – Tackle
Considering that this guy started all season at right tackle last year, he represented a heck of a bargain for Minnesota. Scored a $360,000 performance-based pay bonus. He might still end up starting at right tackle in 2016 but he’ll have to earn it over some veterans.
Joe Berger – Center
The Vikings signed Berger to backup at center and guard and he wound up playing the whole season at center. Underpaid considering how well he performed last year. Ideally, the Vikes would like Berger to go back to a backup role.
Mike Harris – Guard
Exceeded all expectations last year at right guard, then came back on a cheap one-year deal after finding little market in free agency. Will likely have to win the right guard spot over Brandon Fusco.
Andre Smith – Tackle
1-year contract. $3.5 million up to $4.5 million with incentives. $1 million guaranteed.
A bargain at right tackle if he ends up starting. His compensation-level is reasonable for a top backup. Easy to cut if it doesn’t work out. Vikings covered themselves well with this contract.
Phil Loadholt – Tackle
Another team-friendly contract. Will be in the conversation to start at right tackle, but has an uphill battle coming back from an Achilles tear. Affordable depth.
Brandon Fusco – Guard
The Vikings locked Fusco up to a long-term deal two years ago when it looked like he was developing into a top-notch right guard, but things fell apart last year after he was moved to left guard. He will be moving back to right guard this year. Fusco is making considerably more than Mike Harris so you have to figure it will take quite a bit for Fusco to get knocked off at right guard.
John Sullivan – Center
A mystery-guest at this point. The Vikings say his back is doing better but they said that before last season too and he ended up on IR. It’s still possible that he ends up retiring, so it’s good the Vikings have Joe Berger.
Alex Boone – Guard
The Vikes had to make at least one semi-big free agent move on the line and Boone was that move. Fans have already fallen in love with Boone’s feisty attitude. The Boone signing supposedly signals that the Vikings are moving on from the “cerebral” approach they formerly adopted to a more “nasty” approach. The contract is not overly burdensome.
Matt Kalil – Tackle
Ideally, the Vikings would have preferred not to pay Matt Kalil $11.1 million for one year, but that’s just how it goes. In the end, the Vikes couldn’t afford to not bring Kalil back. Now Kalil has a season under Tony Sparano to prove that he is worthy of keeping around for the future. Can Sparano coach Kalil to play “nasty” again like he did his rookie year?