Vikings announcer makes a prediction about 2021 starting left tackle

The Minnesota Vikings made the bold decision to release starting left tackle Riley Reiff this offseason in an effort to save money against the salary cap. Now, the team is tasked with finding a capable player to fill that role for the 2021 NFL season so the offense can continue racking up yards.

There are some options. The Vikings could try second-year lineman Ezra Cleveland in that role or move right tackle Brian O’Neill over to that spot. Minnesota also brought back Rashod Hill who would be a longshot to win the job, but is a possibility.

However, “The Voice of the Vikings” Paul Allen doesn’t seem to believe that any of those three options will be individual starting at left tackle for the purple and gold during the 2021 NFL season. He made his prediction during the latest installment of the Pick 6 Mailbag on the team’s YouTube channel.

At about the 2:51 mark of the video, Julie from Hudson, Wisconsin asks PA “Do you think our starting left tackle for Week 1 is on the roster?” and the response was a quick and firm one that was a bit eye-opening.

Paul Allen makes his prediction on the Vikings left tackle

Allen says “Most likely, no.” He then rattled off the three options listed above before stating again that he believes the left tackle isn’t currently on the roster.

“The Voice of the Vikings” isn’t known for bold takes, but this is a bit more bold than usual. Many fans are assuming that Ezra Cleveland was drafted to take on this role when the team moved on from Reiff, but there is a strong possibility his versatility could have the team playing him on the interior of the offensive line again.

PA’s words mean that he believes the next left tackle for the Minnesota Vikings will either be signed out of free agency, traded for, or selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. With that, it means not much else will likely change and the starting lineup would look like this:

• Unknown left tackle
• Mason Cole
• Garrett Bradbury
• Ezra Cleveland
• Brian O’Neill

6 players the Vikings could pick to replace Riley Reiff at left tackle

After the release of Riley Reiff, the Minnesota Vikings will need to find someone new to fill the gap created at left tackle.

If this is the route the team takes for 2021, expect the first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings to be a left tackle. There are several starting-quality tackles in this draft class, and unless a top-tier talent at another position falls in the draft, it does make some sense to draft a tackle rather than a guard.