Are the Vikings playing a dangerous game with Anthony Harris?
By Dean Jones
Minnesota’s salary cap situation
The Vikings are expected to be in salary cap hell this offseason and they might not be able to offer Anthony Harris the contract he desires.
Minnesota marginally under the cap thanks to defensive end Everson Griffen opting out of his deal. But more must be done for the Vikings to make moves this offseason.
Veteran contributors such as Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph are prime candidates for release this year and the Vikings already have a significant amount invested in the safety position with Harrison Smith.
The 31-year-old will count $10.75 million against Minnesota’s salary cap in 2020 and having another big-money earner in the same position with more pressing needs elsewhere does not seem likely.
While that might be a mistake, Harris has his best years ahead of him and will command top dollar on the free-agent market. Spotrac projects Harris to land a deal that could make him around $13.8 million per year.
This is something the Vikings cannot afford even if they do part ways with some of their big earners in the coming weeks.
Minnesota is now paying the price for spending unwisely on members of the current roster who have not performed to expectations after receiving their big contracts and Harris could become a casualty of this.
It would represent a significant blow for a Vikings secondary that is set to be decimated this spring. Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander are free agents and it remains to be seen whether Andrew Sendejo will be brought back on the cheap after returning to the fold during the season.