Minnesota Vikings: 5 players who could be in final season with team

Minnesota Vikings Player No. 1: OT Riley Reiff

Offensive tackle Riley Reiff‘s play has begun to decline in the last few seasons. He’s still an average NFL left tackle, but is by no means a dominating presence on the left side of the Vikings offensive line. He’s still pretty solid opening up holes in the running game but struggles with speed rushers, as he’s not as quick getting out of his stance as he once was.

There are a couple of reasons why Reiff could be entering his final season with the team. The biggest is his overall cost. Reiff’s cap hit this year is $13.2 million, and in 2021, it’s a hair under $14 million.

That is a lot to be paying a 32-year-old left tackle who has begun to show signs of decline.

Another huge reason why Reiff could be entering his final season with the Vikings is his replacement is on the roster. The Vikings used a second-round pick on Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland, who’s a very large man with great athleticism and is seen as a great fit in Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking scheme. It’s largely assumed Cleveland won’t be ready to become a full-time starter until his second season, and that will keep Reiff on the Vikings roster for 2020.

It would be a shock at this point if Reiff is back with Minnesota in 2021, as his cost, age and performance would all make it not worth it.