The Latavius Murray experiment could easily end after just one season if the Vikings want

The Minnesota Vikings signed the free-agent running back to a three-year contract, but they could opt out of his deal after the 2017 at a small cost.

For the 2017 season, the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive backfield will look much different than it has in almost a decade. Early Thursday morning, the Vikings and free-agent running back Latavius Murray agreed to a contract that could keep him in Minnesota for up to three years.

Murray’s deal with the Vikings is officially for three years and $15 million. However, if for some reason the running back’s 2017 season with Minnesota does not go well, the team can release him before the start of the 2018 league year without enduring a massive cap hit.

According to Over The Cap, Murray is guaranteed to make $3.4 million this year and then his base salary will increase to $5.15 million in 2018 and $4.4 million in 2019. If the Vikings release the running back before the third day of the new league year in 2018 (normally sometime in March), the team will only incur a cap hit of $1.2 million in 2018 and $600,000 in 2019.

So for those who are not too confident in Murray making an impact in 2017, have no fear because Minnesota could easily part ways with the running back after only one season.

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But Murray’s 12 total touchdowns in 2016 should get at least a few Vikings fans excited about the team bringing him onboard.