6 takeaways from Spielman and Zimmer speaking at the Combine
By Adam Patrick
Zimmer hopes Minnesota can re-sign Waynes
Throughout his coaching career, Mike Zimmer has developed a reputation for being someone who excels at getting the most out of his defensive backs. So one can only imagine the joy he was feeling in 2015 when the Vikings selected Trae Waynes with their first-round pick in the NFL Draft.
It took a little bit for Waynes to get adjusted to the pro level. But thanks to the help of Zimmer and a number of other Minnesota assistants, the former Michigan State corner has been able to develop into a solid contributor for the defense.
This year, Waynes is a free agent and his estimated market value has him potentially landing a deal this offseason that pays him an average of $8.4 million per year.
This value may seem a little high for a corner who has never made a Pro Bowl during his five seasons in the NFL. But on Wednesday at the Combine, Zimmer told reporters that the Vikings, “hope to get (Waynes) back,” this year.
His comments on the corner returning in 2020 weren’t as convincing as they were when he talked about Everson Griffen re-signing. But it’s clear Zimmer thinks Waynes is worth Minnesota trying to keep around for next season.