Should the Minnesota Vikings bring back Trae Waynes in 2019?

Prediction

Waynes will remain on the Vikings for 2019

There is just too much uncertainty surrounding the health of Vikings cornerback Mike Hughes for the team to take a big risk and let Waynes go this offseason. It would have already been a large risk for Minnesota to take, but Hughes recovering from a torn ACL makes it even more of a risky decision for the team to go through with.

Minnesota Vikings

Waynes’ 2019 salary of around $9 million may seem a bit high to some, but it could be worse. The Vikings can still figure out other ways to create more cap space this offseason if they do indeed decide to keep their No. 2 corner around.

If Minnesota were to opt out of Waynes’ current contract, the cornerbacks left on the team’s roster would consist of a hobbled Hughes, Holton Hill, Mackensie Alexander, Xavier Rhodes, and a bunch of young backups.

With the amount of injuries the Vikings dealt with on the defensive side of the ball this past season, letting go of an experienced corner doesn’t seem like something they are in a position to do this year.

If keeping Waynes seems like the safe decision to make, it’s because it is. But with Minnesota’s corner depth already up in the air thanks to Hughes’ recovery, eating the $9 million to keep their No. 2 cornerback around in 2019 is likely what the team will ultimately decide to do.

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