What moves could the cash-strapped Minnesota Vikings make to save $40 million on their salary cap in 2023?
The NFL recently revealed a bumper rise in the 2023 salary cap. However, that does little to assist the Minnesota Vikings based on their current financial predicament.
According to Spotrac, the Vikings are currently $21.19 million over the cap. Not exactly ideal for a team that could still have a slight window of opportunity in their elusive quest for a Super Bowl.
This ensures some difficult decisions are coming for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Minnesota needs reinforcements in key positions – mainly on the defensive side – with current players looking for new deals or facing the prospect of being cut before their contracts expire.
How the Vikings approach this should become clearer in the near future. Using the Over the Cap calculator, we picked out five moves that could save Minnesota $40 million in 2023.
Move No. 1
Cut Jordan Hicks
- Cap savings – $5 million
When the Vikings signed Jordan Hicks in 2022 free agency, hopes were high that he could form a prolific partnership with Eric Kendricks within Ed Donatell’s 3-4 scheme. Unfortunately for the player and Minnesota, this didn’t go according to plan.
Hicks just couldn’t transition smoothly enough to a different environment for one reason or another. Releasing the player with one year remaining on his deal represents a cap saving of $5 million, which is hard to ignore in the circumstances.
Restructure Brian O’Neill
- Cap savings – $10.06 million
Making Brian O’Neill one of the NFL’s highest-paid right tackles was nothing more than the player deserved. He’s been a model of consistency since joining the Vikings as a second-round selection and providing there is a full recovery from a calf injury suffered late in the season, there’s every chance this exceptional form continues in the coming years.
O’Neill and stud left tackle Christian Darrisaw emerged as one of the NFL’s best bookend protectors in 2022. Something that benefitted quarterback Kirk Cousins and also carved up lanes for running back Dalvin Cook to work off the edge.
Minnesota is in some severe cap hell this off-season. Kicking the financial can down the road is rapidly becoming a trend across the league, so restructuring O’Neill’s contract is one of the more likely scenarios the Vikings should consider.
The former Pittsburgh Panther still gets his money either way. Moving this money around is projected to free up a little more than $10 million on Minnesota’s 2023 cap, which is a substantial sum that can be put to good use.
There’s nothing to suggest O’Neill wouldn’t agree to this if it means retaining or signing players that can continue the fine work Kevin O’Connell put in during his first season as head coach. But considering the current constraints, even this represents a drop in the ocean.
Cut/trade Eric Kendricks
- Cap savings – $9.5 million
Eric Kendricks has been a fine servant to the Vikings and one of the elite linebackers across the league during his tenure. However, the NFL is a business and the financial ramifications involved with his early departure cannot be ignored.
One could argue Kendricks took a step back last season. The 3-4 base defense implemented by Ed Donatell didn’t bring the best out of almost everyone and the former first-round selection suffered more than most.
There were times when Kendricks looked dominant, but these were fleeting. Something that leaves Minnesota facing a big decision regarding one of their core pieces of the past.
Cutting the one-time UCLA star represents a saving of $9.5 million. Replacing Kendricks will be difficult, especially considering the Vikings aren’t exactly blessed with much draft capital currently.
Should Minnesota make it known they are willing to move on from Kendricks, a scenario could emerge where a contending team agrees to send a late-round pick over to guarantee his services. Again, this comes with a cap saving of $9.5 million.
It’ll be interesting to see what the Vikings eventually do with Kendricks this offseason. But don’t be surprised if the popular figure is playing elsewhere in 2023.
Restructure Dalvin Cook
- Cap savings – $6.28 million
One doesn’t have to look far around the NFL to see the dangers that come with paying running backs. Thankfully for the Vikings, Dalvin Cook is an exception to this ever-growing perception.
Cook’s been nothing short of outstanding from the moment he arrived as a second-round selection out of Florida State. Giving him respectable financial compensation for his efforts is a gamble that’s paid off so far and judging by the player’s form in 2022, he could be among the elite for a good while yet.
The three-time Pro Bowler notched 1,468 all-purpose yards and 10 combined touchdowns last season. Cook has become an outstanding dual-threat weapon under Kevin O’Connell, so the scope for improvement is evident with another offseason picking up the head coach’s complex scheme.
Before preparations gather pace, the Vikings should discuss restructuring Cook’s deal. This would save the franchise $6.28 million on its 2023 cap at a time when every cent counts.
Cook won’t want his prime years restricted by Minensota’s inability to afford the right talent. So a contract restructure represents a win-win scenario for both parties.
Restructure Harrison Smith
- Cap savings – $9.09 million
Harrison Smith is not getting any younger. Although it would be worth the Vikings securing a long-term replacement soon, the All-Pro remains a high performer that was one of the team’s only shining lights on defense in 2022.
Hopefully, Lewis Cine can get back for the new season and form a productive partnership with Smith. If not, then Minnesota needs to secure another option capable of contributing via free agency or the 2023 NFL Draft.
Smith will be around in some capacity next season unless something drastic occurs. Talking through a contract restructuring with the safety potentially saves the Vikings $9.09 million, which is a nice chunk of change that provides extra flexibility.
These five moves save Minnesota around $40 million. While that would only provide the team with $19 million to spend and sign their draft class, it’s a step in the right direction.
The obvious cloud hanging over the Vikings is the contract of Kirk Cousins. They could restructure or extend the quarterback, but trading him with few realistic options elsewhere doesn’t seem feasible unless a whopping offer comes in.
One doesn’t envy the hard choices ahead for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. All fans can do is wait and hope the correct decisions are made by those in power.