4 most overpaid Vikings players heading into the 2020 season
By Adam Patrick
4. Riley Reiff – LT
2020 Cap Hit: $13.2 million
Riley Reiff hasn’t been terrible during his tenure with the Vikings, but he’s is not even close to being worth what his current cap hit is for 2020.
In an effort to help improve an offensive line that was embarrassingly terrible in 2016, Minnesota signed Reiff to a five-year, $58.75 million deal during the 2017 offseason. The Vikings backloaded this contract, so the two largest cap hits are occurring this year and in 2021.
Even with the ability to free up almost $9 million in spending money with a release, Reiff’s current deal is still one of the worst on Minnesota’s current roster.
If his cap hit was closer to what it was in 2017 ($8.5 million), then his contract would be fine. But the Vikings basically have to decide if they want to overpay Reiff or release him if he doesn’t agree to a steep pay cut to remain with the team for next season.
If Minnesota lets him go this year, then they have to hope whoever they replace him with on the left side of the offensive line doesn’t end up doing their best impression of Matt Kalil and gets Kirk Cousins killed.