What Can Vikings Do to Clear More Salary Cap Space for 2015 Offseason?
Based on the team's current salary cap status, the Minnesota Vikings won't have much room to work with during the 2015 offseason. If needed, however, general manager Rick Spielman and his team do have plenty of options to free extra salary cap space.
The NFL salary cap is expected to see a sizable increase for the second consecutive year. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 2014 salary cap (roughly $133 million) should increase to between $138.6 and $141.8 million for the 2015 season.
Assuming this estimation is accurate, Minnesota would hold between $9.8 and $13 million in salary cap space for 2015, based on the team's current top-51 figure of $128.8 million.
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These approximated amounts would, in theory, be enough to do some damage in free agency, but the Vikings have internal matters to tend to as well—free safety Harrison Smith has earned a contract extension and the team has multiple impending free agents of its own.
With contract extensions looming for cornerback Xavier Rhodes and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd following the 2015 season, it is absolutely critical Minnesota carefully manages its salary cap this offseason—even if this requires the team to make a few difficult or unpopular decisions.
Restructure or Terminate Contract of RB Adrian Peterson
Although head coach Mike Zimmer—according to ESPN's Ben Goessling—and (most) Vikings fans would welcome Peterson back from his suspension with open arms, Minnesota's upper management must first gauge if this would be in the best interest of the team's future.
| Year | Cap Hit | Dead Money | Potential Cap Savings |
| 2015 | $15,400,000 | $2,400,000 | $13,000,000 |
| 2016 | $15,000,000 | - | $15,000,000 |
| 2017 | $17,000,000 | - | $17,000,000 |
If Peterson plays for the Vikings next season under his current contract, he would account for $15.4 million of the team's salary cap, or roughly 11 percent of an estimated $138.6 million 2015 NFL salary cap. By comparison, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' contract will account for $18.25 million of Green Bay's 2015 salary cap.
In addition to this massive salary cap hit in 2015, Peterson's current contract would require Minnesota to take a cap hit of $15 million in 2016 and $17 million in 2017. While Peterson is undoubtedly a special player and one of the best running backs in history, paying him quarterback money over the next three seasons is not a cost-effective decision, to say the least.
Naturally, this brings about the thought of restructuring his contract; reinserting Peterson into the Vikings' lineup at a substantial pay reduction would help the team both financially and on the field.
This may not be a realistic option, however. In a November interview with USA Today Sports' Tom Pelissero, Peterson stated he would like to return to the Vikings, but he also expressed the thought of parting ways with the team that drafted him seventh overall back in 2007. Furthermore, the soon-to-be 30-year-old running back also noted he hadn't felt the support of the entire Vikings organization—coaches, ownership and multiple teammates excluded (who else is there?).
Essentially, Peterson was willing to entertain the idea of playing elsewhere next season and was skeptical about how his suspension was received by a few members within the Minnesota organization.
Assuming he still isn't ecstatic about returning to Minnesota next season—and his feelings obviously could have changed since November—why would he even consider returning at a substantially reduced salary? It wouldn't make sense for him to do the Vikings a solid if he doesn't feel completely comfortable about returning next season.
Regardless, Minnesota could open up a considerable amount of salary cap space in 2015—and in subsequent seasons as well—if it elects to terminate or renegotiate Peterson's current contract. Renegotiating his contract appears to be the "best-case scenario" option here, but this is not a definitive option for Minnesota.
If Spielman elects (or is forced) to release the 2012 MVP, Minnesota would still need to pay him $2.4 million in guaranteed money in 2015. However, the team would also free up a total of $45 million in salary cap space from 2015-17.
Releasing Peterson would certainly be an unpopular move, given Peterson has been the face of the franchise for more than half a decade, but it may be in the best interest of the team's future—and there is not a single player who is above the best interest of an organization's future.
Restructure or Terminate Contract of LB Chad Greenway
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater may have had Minnesota's top-selling jersey in 2014, but Greenway has been at, or close to, the top of this list since being the Vikings' first-round draft pick back in 2006. Greenway has been a Minnesota fan favorite for many years now, but his on-field regression over the past two seasons may make him financially expendable.
| Year | Cap Hit | Dead Money | Potential Cap Savings |
| 2015 | $8,800,000 | $1,700,000 | $7,100,000 |
Greenway, who previously renegotiated the five-year, $40.6 million contract he signed back in 2011, is only under contract with the Vikings through the 2015 season. If the team elects to terminate his current contract, he would still be owed $1.7 million in guaranteed money, but Minnesota would receive $7.1 million in salary cap relief.
The former Iowa linebacker has already expressed a desire to play next season, but he did acknowledge the possibility of no longer being with the Vikings in 2015, as Brian Hall of Fox Sports North reports:
"ICYMI, Chad Greenway says #Vikings future uncertain, but sure he'll play 'somewhere' http://t.co/915WjU3xG0 via @FoxSports
— Brian Hall (@MNBrianHall) January 2, 2015"
A career Viking, Greenway is the team's all-time leader in combined tackles (992) and has been the defense's signal-caller for multiple seasons now. In recent years, however, he has regressed to being a below-average tackler—7.6 combined tackling efficiency—and become a liability in pass coverage—allowed 38 catches on 42 targets in 2014—according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Despite his regression, he still finished tied for second on the team with 93 combined tackles in 2014, and he was second (776) to only rookie Anthony Barr (793) for most snaps by a Minnesota linebacker this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Greenway still has a place in the NFL—somewhere—as he is still capable of being an average three-down linebacker, which actually is harder to find than one may assume. However, he is no longer worth an $8.8 million salary cap hit and should be released assuming he and the Vikings cannot reach a more team-friendly contract situation.
Based on his past willingness to help his team financially, and the importance of his leadership, Greenway is likely a strong candidate for a renegotiated contract. He is the closest player the Vikings currently roster to a Tom Brady, who recently reworked his contract to save the New England Patriots a boatload of money—according to Yahoo! Sports' Frank Schwab—and will likely show his team-first attitude this offseason.
Simply, terminating or renegotiating Greenway's current contract has the potential to clear a notable amount of cap space for Minnesota this offseason, and it should be expected for the team to utilize this possibility in one way or another.
Terminate Contract of LG Charlie Johnson
Johnson has been the Vikings' starting left guard ever since he moved over to the position from left tackle back in 2012. While he had been a below-average option over the past few seasons, Johnson became one of the worst at his position in 2014.
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson allowed six sacks in 2014, which was tied for sixth-most among guards, despite playing in only 14 games. In addition, his 39 pressures allowed were the third-highest total at his position and his 94.0 pass-blocking efficiency ranked second-worst. Only New England's Dan Connolly (93.8), who played more than 150 fewer snaps, recorded a lower efficiency rating.
| Year | Cap Hit | Dead Money | Potential Cap Savings |
| 2015 | $2,500,000 | - | $2,500,000 |
Unlike Peterson or Greenway, releasing Johnson (before June 1) would not cost Minnesota a dime in dead money. A simple termination of the two-year $5 million contract he signed with the team last offseason would effectively grant the Vikings $2.5 million in available salary cap space.
Terminating Johnson's contract would not free an enormous amount of cap space, but he also doesn't have much future value to the Vikings. Not only is Johnson 30 years old, but Minnesota seemingly noticed his lack of effectiveness and selected former Stanford guard David Yankey in the fifth round of the 2014 draft.
While Yankey wasn't ready to play this season, according to Chris Tomasson of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, an offseason filled with NFL workouts, proper dieting and extra practice should allow him to step into Johnson's role without a noticeable drop-off in production—assuming Minnesota doesn't sign a replacement guard during free agency or draft a more pro-ready option this coming May.
"Mike Zimmer on David Yankey: "He's got a ways to go. His strength and his balance, he's still a ways away.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 11, 2014"
Ideally, the $2.5 million freed by releasing Johnson would be put toward signing an above-average option at guard to help Matt Kalil find the 2012 version of himself. From a statistical standpoint, however, there are only a handful of players who wouldn't be an upgrade over Johnson.
The NFL is a "What have you done for me lately?" league, and what Johnson has done lately shouldn't be enough to return with Minnesota next season; clearing $2.5 million in salary cap space is just icing on the cake.
Other Potential Roster Moves to Clear More Salary Cap Space
After lead blocking for Peterson's 2,000-yard rushing season in 2012, fullback Jerome Felton received a three-year $7.5 million contract from the Vikings. Even without Peterson in 2014, Felton enjoyed another strong season—scoring his first career touchdown in the process—but, largely due to an offensive scheme change, he saw his snaps diminish from 304 in 2013 to only 175 in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus.
As a result, the Pro Bowl fullback will reportedly opt out of his contract and become a free agent:
"Fullback Jerome Felton will be a 12th free agent since he told me he will opt out of his contract after season.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 27, 2014"
While Felton's lead-blocking excellence will be missed in Minnesota, his departure will clear $2.5 million in salary cap space for the Vikings. It is an honorable move and a win for both sides. Felton will certainly find a new home where he will be better utilized, and Minnesota can spend the accrued savings on a position that holds more value in its new schemes.
In addition to Felton, Minnesota could clear considerable cap space by cutting ties with the players listed alphabetically on the following chart:
| Name | Position | Cap Number | Dead Money | Potential Cap Savings |
| Matt Cassel | QB | $4,750,000 | - | $4,750,000 |
| Greg Jennings | WR | $11,000,000 | $6,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Jeff Locke | P | $631,048 | $92,096 | $538,952 |
| Captain Munnerlyn | CB | $3,833,333 | $666,667 | $3,166,666 |
| Josh Robinson | CB | $950,250 | $174,250 | $776,000 |
| Marcus Sherels | PR/CB | $1,250,000 | $150,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Total | - | $22,414,631 | $7,083,013 | $15,331,618 |
Now that the Vikings have found their franchise quarterback in Bridgewater, it isn't necessary to pay Matt Cassel $4.75 million in 2015. Minnesota could elect to release Cassel and sign a free-agent quarterback—such as Shaun Hill, for example—to a (slightly) lower, backup quarterback salary.
It is unlikely the Vikings release wide receiver Greg Jennings or cornerback Captain Munnerlyn—largely because both players still have multiple years left on their respective contracts—but the team potentially could shed some salary cap space at the cost of a considerable amount of dead money, if the right opportunity were to arise.
Punter Jeff Locke has been horrific since the team drafted him out of UCLA in 2013. Minnesota could release him and put the cleared salary cap space toward a free-agent punter with a more consistent track record.
Marcus Sherels has been hanging on to the Vikings' roster by a thread for multiple seasons now. He has been one of the best and most consistent punt returners in the NFL over the past few seasons, but this doesn't make him worth his current salary. Sherels played 12 snaps on defense in 2014—according to Pro Football Focus—which is certainly not enough to earn him a backup cornerback salary. In comparison, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Perrish Cox—who was playing under a one-year, $695,000 contract in 2014—played 965 total snaps on defense.
Josh Robinson, who the Vikings selected in the third round of the 2012 draft, played well at times in 2014 but did not progress the way many expected when he was moved back to his more natural position of outside cornerback. He likely will not be cut due to his relatively low base salary, but his play this season warrants some consideration—especially if Minnesota is thinking about replacing him this offseason.
The cap savings of these six players when added to those of Peterson, Greenway, Johnson and Felton would create roughly $40 million in extra salary cap space for Minnesota.
Simply, Spielman has plenty of options for clearing salary cap space this offseason. Some of these options are unpopular (Peterson, Greenway), and others seem a bit desperate (Jennings, Munnerlyn), but every contract is expendable in the NFL.
If Spielman believes he can improve his team with a big-name free-agent signing, he certainly has the ability to clear enough salary cap space to make it happen.
Contract and Salary Cap Information courtesy of Spotrac.
Statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference, unless otherwise specified.
For more Vikings news, statistics and discussion, you can find me on Twitter @RobertReidell
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