5 potential salary cap casualties for the Minnesota Vikings in 2020
By Adam Carlson
4. Riley Reiff, offensive tackle
- 2020 cap hit: $13,200,000
- Dead cap: $4,400,000
- Potential 2020 savings: $8.8 mil
Despite the offensive line being one of the weakest units for the Minnesota Vikings last season, it is possible that two of the starters from last year could be jettisoned off in favor of younger or cheaper option in 2020.
Riley Reiff isn’t a bad player. In fact, he had several games in 2019 where he looked more than competent holding down the blind spot for Kirk Cousins and that Vikings offense. But the team may think they can do better at the spot.
Currently carrying Minnesota’s fourth-biggest salary cap hit for the 2020 NFL season, Reiff should be sweating a bit. With that kind of money, moving him inside if the Vikings draft an offensive tackle isn’t really an option. The only way he should feel somewhat safe is if the team thinks he can rebound with more help at guard.
To matters worse for Reiff, the Vikings are also on the hook for his cap hit of $13.95 million in 2021 unless they do something about it. Expect the Vikings to approach the offensive tackle to restructure or take a pay cut this offseason. And, if that doesn’t happen, Minnesota could be forced to let him go.