4 Vikings players who are living on borrowed time
By Dean Jones
Which Minnesota Vikings players are living on borrowed time?
The upcoming offseason promises to be one of the most important in recent memory for the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings appear to be at something of a crossroads after failing to make the playoffs and the organization stands to be impacted more than most with pandemic-related financial losses expected to impact the NFL’s salary-cap figure in 2021.
Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman is no stranger to cap maneuvering and the team’s front office are masters of it. But this is arguably the toughest challenge the Vikings front office has faced in a generation.
What comes next over the next few months will have some substantial ramifications on the team’s long and short-term ambitions.
Minnesota prepared for this eventuality by loading up on 2021 NFL Draft picks once again – which is the cheapest way to fill out a roster. But if they compromise the overall quality, then it is going to come with some serious complications in an NFC North division that should be much-improved next time around.
Of the current players on the Vikings roster, who are some that could be living on borrowed time with the franchise?
Player No. 1
Dan Bailey – K
Dan Bailey might have received a reprieve from head coach Mike Zimmer after his poor outing at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But his long-term future with the Vikings is still up in the air.
Bailey responded well during Minnesota’s Week 15 game against the Chicago Bears. However, if the right kicker becomes available in free agency, then the Vikings will not hesitate to bring in additional reinforcements in a bid to make a return to the postseason in 2021.
Becoming a Minnesota kicker is a poisoned chalice, of that there is little doubt. Bailey steadied the ship for a brief period, but his 70 percent field-goal success rate this season isn’t the required standard.