Making Sense of Percy Harvin's Trade Request

Things got a lot more interesting in Winter Park, Minnesota this week. 

As first reported by Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press, Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin requested a trade Wednesday. While no immediate reason for the trade request was given, it was assumed that several mitigating factors contributed to Harvin's impulse decision.

We've learned more on the situation since Wednesday, so let's attempt to make sense of Harvin's out-of-the-blue trade request.

Was It About Money?

In any team-player dispute, the first place to start looking is money. That rings true in this case, too. 

Drafted in the final third of the first round in 2009, Harvin eventually signed a five-year, $12.05 million deal with $8.425 million guaranteed. Overall, Harvin's deal was very typical of players drafted in his slot.

Now in the fourth year of that contract, Harvin is scheduled to make just $915,000 in 2012 and $1.55 million in '13. Obviously, Harvin is worth more to the Vikings (and on the open market) than those amounts, which makes it a reasonable assumption to think Harvin wants a better looking deal as we approach 2012 and beyond. 

Also, Harvin likely isn't happy that two other receivers on the Vikings' roster, Michael Jenkins and Jerome Simpson, will make more in base salary in 2012. Harvin has out-produced both receivers by a wide margin over the length of his current deal. 

However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Wednesday that Harvin's unhappiness in Minnesota wasn't money related. 

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According to a source with knowledge of the situation, it actually isn’t about the money.  While the reason(s) for Harvin’s unhappiness remain unknown, the source explains that Harvin isn’t looking to be traded because he wants a new deal.

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Harvin then took to Twitter to essentially confirm Florio's findings.

"Fans, I said I have issues to be worked out, money not at all being the problem," Harvin tweeted. "I've done everything asked and more..."

There was also an interesting tidbit from Brian McIntyre at NFL.com, who reported that Harvin could earn as much as $3.43 million in the final year of his contract (2013) by hitting a number of contract escalators. Among those include reception numbers, playing time and a Pro Bowl selection. 

If Harvin hits those escalators, he could earn almost $4.5 million over the next two seasons combined—still a bargain in terms of production to pay, but better than the flat-line rate of his base salaries in those two years. 

Vikings GM Rick Spielman didn't seem too concerned about Harvin's current deal, noting that the franchise has a track record of re-signing players towards the end of their rookie contracts.

From ESPN.com:

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Our philosophy has always been as players enter the last year of their contract, we have a history of extending players going into the last year of their contract," Spielman said. "And that's been our history."

"

Was it an On-Field Issue?

Since entering the NFL in 2009, Harvin has been arguably the game's most dynamic slot receiver and returner. A versatile player that can line up at any receiver position and take snaps at running back, Harvin is a valuable piece for the Vikings offense.

Last season, Harvin emerged as Minnesota's only legitimate pass-catching threat, as he hauled in 87 passes for 967 yards and nine total touchdowns. He also carried the ball 52 times for 345 yards. 

However, the Vikings have always been hesitant to keep Harvin—their second best offensive weapon behind Adrian Peterson—on the field. That reduced role could be one of the bigger factors in his desire to be moved.

According to Pro Football Focus, a great analytical football site that breaks down every player during every play of every game, Harvin participated on just 58.8 percent of the Vikings' offensive plays in 2011. He also never played in a game last season in which he played more than 80 percent of Minnesota's offensive snaps. 

Despite his stunning versatility, Harvin's usage slipped even more in the red zone. As the Vikings approached the goal line, Harvin often found himself watching from the sidelines. 

According the PFF report, Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier got an earful from other coaches during Senior Bowl week about how much they "feared" Harvin. 

Yet, on over 40 percent of the Vikings' offensive snaps in 2011, Harvin wasn't available. That kind of usage has more than just Harvin scratching their heads.

According to the ESPN.com report, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave wants to use Harvin more in 2012.

"We're looking forward to getting him on the field and as an offense we're looking forward to having a better year," Musgrave said. "That's the bottom line."

Musgrave has also been a big proponent of the two tight end offensive system, and the Vikings' acquisition of former Seahawks tight end John Carlson this offseason supports that idea. It's possible Harvin is better suited to a more spread out, open attack. 

Regardless, it's likely that issues on the field contributed to the trade request more than anything. 

Where is Harvin Now?

After missing Wednesday's practice, Harvin returned to the practice field Thursday. All things considered, it appears as if the tensions have calmed in Winter Park—at least for now. 

Harvin tweeted after practice that he'll be in training camp with the Vikings in late July, something he wasn't committed to early on this offseason. 

"I'm really clueless on the crazy reports, had a great practice today," Harvin tweeted Thursday. "To all my real fans and real Vikings fans, see you at Mankato...salute."

The Vikings hold training camps in Mankato, Minnesota. 

While the "crazy reports" Harvin mentioned more than hold their own weight, and were spurned on by comments Harvin himself made to reporters, unsettled times in Minnesota appear to have calmed. 

Don't expect this story to go away for Harvin or the Vikings, however. It's a storyline that deserves far more attention as training camp creeps closer.