Which Minnesota Vikings players could get big money in the future?
It’s been a season full of twists and turns for the Minnesota Vikings that started with a 1-5 record and now sees them looking to pursue an unlikely playoff berth down the stretch despite a poor result last time out against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Whether the Vikings can accomplish this or not remains to be seen, but this offseason period promises to be just as eventful.
Minnesota is expected to be really up against it from a salary-cap perspective in 2021. Teams across the league are bracing themselves for the financial resources available to stay the same or even come down due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which will undoubtedly come with some extremely tough decisions in Minnesota next spring.
It is a difficult situation, of that there is little doubt. The Vikings must balance the need to be competitive in 2021 with protecting its long-term aspirations, which is quite the predicament they find themselves in moving forward.
This isn’t something Minnesota should worry about just yet, but let’s take a look at four current Vikings players that could get big-time money in the future if they continue their encouraging progress.
Player No. 1
Jeff Gladney – CB
It might be early in the career of Jeff Gladney, but the Vikings look to have a real player on their hands. Gladney took his time to settle at the next level with plenty of responsibility on his shoulders – which is not unfamiliar with rookies at the position – and there has been a lot to like about his progress overall.
Minnesota made a bold move to get rid of Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes, and Mackensie Alexander this past offseason. But the tandem of Gladney and Cameron Dantzler could be a prolific pair for the Vikings if both progress further in the coming years.
If Gladney reaches his ceiling, then the former TCU standout is a prime candidate for big bucks when it’s time to head to the bargaining table in the years to come.