Which Minnesota Vikings players might not be back with the team in 2024 for salary cap reasons?
The job of an NFL general manager isn't easy. Assembling the most talent possible on a roster without jeopardizing future draft capital while staying within the salary cap is a huge challenge for every team, not just the Minnesota Vikings.
Every year, some players are let go due to their salary cap hits not fitting future plans for the franchise. Last season, some big names like Eric Kendricks, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook made their exits.
This year, several players could be in a similar situation. A big salary cap hit with a lower guaranteed money amount means the player could be released for some relief to be able to distribute the funds elsewhere.
At least these five players are bound to have their names brought up as possible releases to clear some salary cap space for the 2024 NFL season. Let's take a look at these Minnesota Vikings players who might or might not be salary cap casualties.
Possible Vikings cap casualty No. 1
Harrison Smith, safety
Harrison Smith is one of those players who it would feel weird to not see on the field for the Minnesota Vikings. The 34-year-old safety has played 12 seasons for the purple and gold since being a first-round draft pick in 2012.
Smith is set to have a salary cap hit of $19,215,882 with only $7,831,768 guaranteed. If the six-time Pro Bowl defender were released this offseason, it would give the Vikings $11,384,114 worth of salary cap relief.
Since Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus are both playing at high levels, retaining Smith at safety might not be a prioriry. Plus, the Vikings need to see if they have anything in former first-round draft pick Lewis Cine, who was often inactive last season.
Playing in all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings last year, Smith had 93 combined tackles, three pass defenses, three forced fumbles, and three sacks, proving he still has quite a bit of fuel left in the gas tank.
Possible Vikings cap casualty No. 2
Byron Murphy, cornerback
As the younger cornerbacks on the Minnesota Vikings roster gain experience, the need for higher-priced veterans decreases. Byron Murphy is entering the final year of the two-year deal he signed last offseason, but could still be on the way out.
Byron Murphy is set to have a salary cap hit of 10,161,754 in 2024 with $5,600,000 in guaranteed money. Releasing the defensive back would give the Vikings $4,561,754 in salary cap relief for the upcoming season.
The Vikings have young corners like Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, Andrew Booth Jr. and others who might be able to help replace Murphy's production and could even look to the 2024 NFL Draft to add another younger talent.
Murphy was solid for the Minnesota Vikings last season. He started 14 games for the team, accumulating 57 combined tackles and a team-high three interceptions. Making the decision on his 2024 status will be extremely challenging for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Possible Vikings cap casualty No. 3
Harrison Phillips, defensive line
Whether or not Harrison Phillips should even be considered to be a salary cap casualty for the Minnesota Vikings is something that could be hotly debated. The defensive tackle is entering the final year of a three-year contract worth $19.5 million.
2024 is interesting because Phillips is set to have a salary cap hit of $8,833,334 with $2,333,334 in guaranteed money. That means his release would free up $6.5 million, which is a significant amount of cap space.
However, the Vikings need help on the defensive line pretty badly. Phillips should be considered the team's best player in that unit, so releasing him could be a huge mistake that might negatively impact the defense as a whole.
With the Minnesota Vikings needing to add talent at so many other places on the roster, saving $6.5 million by letting a quality player in the final year of his contract go would be a huge decision for the team's front office.
Possible Vikings cap casualty No. 4
Garrett Bradbury, center
The interior of the offensive line continued to struggle last season and improving at center might be something the Minnesota Vikings look to do in order to protect their quarterback and open holes in the run game in 2024,
Garrett Bradbury inked a three-year deal last offseason but it has a potential out. Bradbury is set to have a salary cap hit of $5,755,165 but would have no guaranteed money to offset his release, meaning it would be pure cap relief.
Expect the Vikings to go about business as usual this offseason with Bradbury penciled in as the starting center. Still, Minnesota should explore other options at the position in the meantime and keep his release as a possibility.
Considering how much this franchise has invested in centers in recent history, it is disappointing that the position is still an issue. However, the Minnesota Vikings may need to take another swing at finding a potential long-term answer.
Possible Vikings cap casualty No. 5
Dean Lowry, defensive line
One of the more disappointing signings of the 2023 offseason, Dean Lowry struggled to be effective as well as stay on the field last season. Strengthening the defensive front needs to be a priority this offseason.
Lowry only has a salary cap hit of $4,482,345 in 2024 but has no guaranteed money on the deal. The Vikings could look to add a bigger, stronger player to take his spot in free agency or in the2024 NFL Draft.
Playing in nine games in 2023 and starting only four, Lowry is expendable. He had 14 combined tackles last season, notched one fumble recovery, and batted down one pass, but failed to register a sack in his 237 defensive snaps.
It wouldn't be surprising to see the Minnesota Vikings move on from Dean Lowry this offseason unless they believe he can return from his pectoral tear and be an impact player like they hoped he would be when he was signed last offseason.