3 Vikings players who could be released ahead of time in 2022
By Dean Jones
Michael Pierce – DT
- 2022 cap saving: $6.5 million
It’s been a relatively disappointing season for Michael Pierce in 2021. The defensive tackle opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 health concerns, but an inability to stay healthy coupled with indifferent production at times could leave his future with the Vikings up in the air this spring.
Pierce is still a force against the run and there have been some fleeting moments of real quality this season. However, the Vikings would save $6.5 million by cutting him with one year remaining on his deal, and it’s something that definitely deserves consideration based on the team’s financial situation and the former Baltimore Raven‘s influence on defense.
Hopes were high that Pierce could immediately step in and fill the void left by Linval Joseph. Opting out of the season is something no player deserves criticism for, but it did leave the lineman facing an uphill battle to stamp his authority in a new environment.
As stated previously, the Vikings need to make some serious sacrifices given they are currently $10 million over the 2022 cap. It doesn’t appear likely any team takes on Kirk Cousins’ fully-guaranteed $45 million in a trade, so trimming the fat elsewhere is the only chance they have of remaining competitive.
From the outside looking in, it appears as if Pierce is a prime candidate for an early release. However, much will depend on how the player performs during the final few games of the season.