Linval Joseph’s release a necessary evil for cash-strapped Vikings
By Dean Jones
The Minnesota Vikings needed to make some difficult decisions to relieve cap space this offseason, which left Linval Joseph on the outside.
Linval Joseph’s time with the Minnesota Vikings has come to an end after six seasons. The defensive tackle was released on Friday to ease the organization’s salary cap concerns.
The 31-year-old arrived in a big-money deal from the New York Giants in 2014 and became an instant fan-favorite. He was a hugely influential figure within the locker room and enjoyed a much-improved season in 2019.
Joseph is a brut force on the defensive line interior and freed up considerable space for star pass-rushers Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen last season. He still has a number of years left in the NFL given his high level of production.
Minnesota had just $1 million in salary-cap space to work before Joseph’s release. Sacrifices needed to be made by the front office decision-makers that also saw Pro Bowl cornerback Xavier Rhodes shown the door.
The former second-round pick out of East Carolina’s departure was a necessary evil for the Vikings. This was a purely business decision given his recent performances and is a further sign of the cutthroat world of the NFL.
Joseph still has a lot to offer, but that will now be with another NFL team.