What’s next for Riley Reiff and the Vikings heading into free agency?

What’s next for Reiff?

Losing someone like Riley Reiff would be a big blow to the Vikings offense. He is a consistent performer who displays the sort of attitude that head coach Mike Zimmer loves.

Any decision regarding his future is not too far away with free agency set to get underway on March 18. Reiff should know well before then what his future looks like, as he will not want to miss the boat on getting a contract elsewhere.

It will also allow Minnesota to look for a replacement, which will not be easy. There is plenty of quality in the 2020 NFL Draft on the offensive line, but the Vikings have pressing needs in the secondary that might take priority in the first and second rounds.

A developmental prospect in the mid-rounds probably will not provide Kirk Cousins with the same security as Reiff. If Minnesota can work something out to keep him around for another season, then this is a realistic option.

Letting him go in 2021 will be at minimal cost and it would give the Vikings the best possible chance of winning right now. Cousins is also in the final year of his $84 million deal and he will need familiarity around him if he is going to take his game up a notch and earn a new contract.

There is also the possibility of Reiff restructuring his deal to relieve immediate cap concerns. Although, this would mean a bigger financial commitment that Minnesota might not be willing to commit to.

It is going to be a pivotal few weeks for the Vikings front office and their decisions are going to have huge implications on the team’s future.