5 potential salary cap casualties for the Minnesota Vikings in 2020
By Adam Carlson
2. Xavier Rhodes, cornerback
- 2020 cap hit: $12,900,000
- Dead cap: $4,800,000
- Potential 2020 savings: $8.1 million
A couple of years ago, the idea that Xavier Rhodes would be released by the Minnesota Vikings would be absurd. He was considered to be a shutdown corner who could go toe-to-toe with the best pass-catchers in the league.
However, the idea of letting him go is something that is very real now that his play has declined and he’s got a massive contract with a small amount of guaranteed money and some big salary caps through the 2022 season.
Without much depth behind him at the position, releasing Rhodes could be hard. Both Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander are set to hit the open market and both should command respectable salaries this offseason, meaning the cornerback unit would need an influx of talent from outside and players like Holton Hill and Mike Hughes to step up in their absence.
Rhodes is in a bit of a stickier spot as well because Minnesota only owes him $4.8 million in guaranteed money and have him for the next two seasons, which will cost the team a combined $28 million against the salary cap over the next two years.
It will be interesting to see if the Minnesota Vikings believe he can bounce back to be the player he once was or if they will opt to try something new in the team’s secondary going forward.