What’s holding up Terence Newman returning to the Minnesota Vikings?
By Adam Carlson
Terence Newman was an important part of the Minnesota Vikings defense during the 2017 NFL season but he has yet to sign a contract to return in 2018.
The Minnesota Vikings have been very busy this offseason. They have signed quarterback Kirk Cousins for three years, brought in defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, and made a deal with Bears leading receiver in 2017 Kendall Wright.
In addition to these new faces, the Vikings have worked hard to bring back many of their own players. Anthony Harris, Nick Easton, Marcus Sherels, Kai Forbath, and others got deals to come back to Minnesota, but one name has yet to be added to that list: Terence Newman.
Although Newman will be turning 40 years old in September, there is little doubt that he would be a great player to bring back to the #1 defense in the NFL for the 2018 NFL season.
Minnesota Vikings
Playing in all 16 regular season games last year and starting 7 of those, Newman found his role in the defense decreased and ended with a career low in tackles and only had one interception. Still, the 15-year veteran of the NFL could fill a big need for the team.
After things didn’t work out of the Vikings when trading for Tramaine Brock, the hesitation to bring back Newman is even more perplexing. While Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander are all very capable cornerbacks, the depth beneath them is questionable at best.
Horace Richardson and Marcus Sherels round out the roster at this point when it comes to corners and that is just unacceptable. Of course, the Vikings do still have the 2018 NFL Draft to gain some talent at the position, but not bringing back Newman before the draft opens up a bigger hole heading into the event.
It is difficult to believe that bringing Terence Newman back would be a massive salary cap issue or be that hard to negotiate, yet Minnesota hasn’t gotten a deal done.
This has to bring up the question of whether or not the Vikings are even interested in bringing Newman back despite their need at the position, which is scary considering that would mean two rookies learning behind Rhodes, Waynes, and Alexander.
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Do you think the Minnesota Vikings will bring Terence Newman back for the 2018 NFL season? Should they want to have the 40-year-old on their roster instead of having younger talent to develop? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!