What’s next for Riley Reiff and the Vikings heading into free agency?
By Dean Jones
Reiff and Minnesota’s salary cap
Riley Reiff is currently the fourth-highest paid player on the Vikings and he will count $13.2 million against their salary cap in 2020.
The offensive lineman signed a five-year, $58.75 million deal with Minnesota in 2016 to pry him away from the Detroit Lions. This included $26.3 million in guaranteed money and a signing bonus of $11 million.
There is a potential out for the Vikings this spring. Reiff’s possible release is set to only cost $4.4 million in dead money, which represents a cap saving of $8.8 million.
This might be a proposition that Minnesota cannot ignore. They need to improve other areas of their roster and cutting Reiff loose would save a substantial amount at a position they might be able to fill with a high pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
If the Vikings decide to keep faith with Reiff for another season, then this would undoubtedly be his final year on his current deal. He will impact the salary cap by $13.95 million in 2021 and he would cost the franchise just $2.2 million in dead money if released.
Minnesota has a pressing need right now to relieve its financial constraints, so Reiff may be one of the sacrifices the decision-makers within the organization will make going forward.
With other big names such as Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph also prime candidates for release, the Vikings locker room could have a different look to it next season.