5 Cuts That Could Create Cap Space for Minnesota Vikings
Before the Minnesota Vikings have an opportunity to add to their roster this offseason, general manager Rick Spielman and Co. will first have to make a few subtractions.
Although Minnesota is currently well below the expected 2015 salary cap—per ESPN's Adam Schefter—it could only benefit from adding to the roughly $10 million in expected cap space. Doing so, however, will be at the cost of parting ways with one or multiple players who have played important roles in recent seasons.
The Vikings could cut veterans Adrian Peterson and Chad Greenway to free a combined total of $20.1 million in salary-cap space, but it would also come at the cost of the 2012 MVP and their defensive signal-caller.
As a result of these factors and the recent report concerning Peterson's interest in remaining a member of the Vikings—according to Brian Hall of Fox Sports North—it is beginning to appear more likely that Minnesota will retain the long-tenured pair of veteran leaders.
Peterson and Greenway have dominated this discussion due to their excessively high 2015 salary figures, but the Vikings have other ways to create cap space.
In order to avoid redundancy, let's take a look at some of the other cut options for the Vikings this offseason.
G Charlie Johnson
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Speaking of redundancy, the Vikings offensive line was a sheer mess in 2014, with the left side of Matt Kalil and Charlie Johnson receiving the majority of the blame.
Kalil may have played poorly, but due to his fully guaranteed $6.29 million salary in 2015, there isn't any chance of him being released by Minnesota this offseason.
Johnson, however, is a completely different story. Unlike Kalil, his $2.5 million 2015 salary does not include even a single dollar of guaranteed money. Correspondingly, the Vikings could part ways with the inconsistent veteran guard without having to think twice about any negative salary-cap consequences.
Since Kalil will undoubtedly remain in Minnesota for at least one more season, the most cost-effective solution for the Vikings would be to upgrade a different offensive line position. With Phil Loadholt and Brandon Fusco expected to return healthy next season and John Sullivan being the lone asset along the 2014 offensive line, Johnson—and his contract—will be expendable this offseason.
Clearing Johnson's contract from the books will allow Minnesota more room to work in free agency, and $2.5 million could be the difference between an average guard replacement and a difference-maker.
Given Minnesota's interest in protecting soon-to-be sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Johnson's fate is likely sealed. Expect the Vikings to (finally) move on from Johnson with a veteran free agent, an early-round draft selection or 2014 fifth-round draft pick David Yankey next season.
PR/CB Marcus Sherels
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Marcus Sherels has been a constant for the Vikings over the past four seasons, providing his team with borderline exceptional special teams play.
Since 2011, he has returned 114 punts in a Minnesota uniform, averaging 10.5 yards per return with two touchdowns. While these numbers are well above average relative to other punt returners, Sherels is being paid far too much for his services.
He is due to make $1.25 million in 2015, which would be a bargain if he contributed on defense as well. Despite being listed as a cornerback, Sherels only played 12 defensive snaps for the Vikings in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus.
By comparison, Sherels will make roughly $500,000 more than Robert Blanton, Jarius Wright, Gerald Hodges, Audie Cole and Rhett Ellison next season despite being on the field for a fraction of the number of snaps.
Teams don't always cut players due to performance concerns. The NFL is a cutthroat industry; if a team believes it can receive similar production for less money, it is in its best interest to do so.
Releasing Sherels would free $1.1 million in salary-cap space for Minnesota, and it currently rosters a viable replacement in Adam Thielen.
Between his 27 punt returns and 12 defensive snaps in 2014, the Vikings simply cannot afford to pay Sherels over $25,000 per snap next season.
S Andrew Sendejo
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Similar to Sherels, cutting ties with Andrew Sendejo would not be because of his performance, as he has been an important contributor on special teams and a solid backup over the past couple of seasons.
However, he was only on the field for 149 defensive snaps in 2014—according to Pro Football Focus—and he is due slightly more than $1 million next season.
Before Blanton established himself as the starter opposite of Harrison Smith in the Vikings secondary, Sendejo was considerably more valuable in Minnesota. With Blanton providing solid results this past season and Antone Exum breathing down his neck for playing time, Sendejo is no longer worth his contract.
The Vikings are expected to add depth at defensive back this offseason as well, which in the process will make Sendejo even less valuable.
Again, cutting Sendejo would not be due to his performance. Making cost-effective decisions is part of building a complete 53-man roster. Paying him more than $1 million to play the same role as a late-round draft selection or an undrafted free agent is not wise from a financial perspective.
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CB Josh Robinson
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To be direct, Josh Robinson has run out of chances in Minnesota. He has had his moments, but overall, he has been a major disappointment since being selected in the third round of the 2012 draft.
Xavier Rhodes now sets the standard at the cornerback position for the Vikings, and Captain Munnerlyn almost certainly will get a second chance to prove he is worthy of his multiyear contract next season. With the Vikings likely looking to upgrade at cornerback opposite of Rhodes, Robinson will quickly become expendable this offseason.
In the final year of his rookie contract, Robinson will be due $950,250 in 2015. This number may not appear to be much, but if he is going to be replaced anyway, the extra $776,000 in savings could be helpful.
Despite 2014 being arguably Robinson's best as a professional, his two worst performances of the season came against the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears—two teams the Vikings have the distinct displeasure of playing twice per season.
Robinson could use a fresh start with a different team, and he won't have a place in Minnesota anyway if the team does what it is expected to and acquires one or more cornerbacks this offseason.
P Jeff Locke
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Jeff Locke is due a salary of $631,048 in 2015, and based off his previous two seasons with the Vikings, this figure is far too high.
The Detroit Lions drafted kicker Nate Freese in the seventh round last season. Due to consistent ineffectiveness, however, he only made it through three games before being replaced and subsequently released.
Releasing Locke is along the same lines of Detroit's decision. While Minnesota would only free slightly more than $500,000 in salary-cap space, cutting Locke is about admitting a mistake and moving forward.
Minnesota could reinvest this money into a free-agent punter such as Brett Kern or Marquette King and receive far better results from the position.
Punting may be an overlooked phase of the game, but winning field position is critical, especially for a defense-driven team like Zimmer is building.
In total, the Vikings would accrue nearly $6 million in salary-cap space by parting ways with Johnson, Sherels, Sendejo, Robinson and Locke. Considering that all five of these players are easily replaceable—either by currently rostered players or with cheaper offseason investments—their combined relief figure is substantial.
Creating enough financial room to accommodate a difference-maker isn't always about parting ways with one major cap liability; a team may also achieve this goal by making multiple less significant cuts as well.
Salary-cap information courtesy of Spotrac. Statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference, unless otherwise noted.
For more Vikings statistics, analysis and discussion, find me on Twitter @RobertReidell, and be sure to keep tabs on Minnesota Vikings Draft for analysis of the NFL draft and free agency from a Vikings perspective.
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