Randy Moss Waived By Minnesota Vikings: 5 Teams That Could Pick Him Up

Randy Moss was waived today by the Minnesota Vikings, just four games after vice president Rick Spielman gave up a third-round pick to bring the disgruntled wide receiver back home from the New England Patriots.

The Vikings had hoped Moss would bring a little bit of excitement and spice back to the town he once electrified with Cris Carter and Daunte Culpepper, but reality sunk in and neither Moss nor the Vikings were very happy with the reunion.

Moss commanded very little attention from Brett Favre nor opposing defenses while he was in Purple and Gold—save Sunday's game against the Patriots. New England refused to let No. 84 get anything against them and threw a myriad of looks at the Vikings designed to stop Moss.

Now, will New England look to get Randy Moss back?

The Waiver Process

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a pass during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 24

Since it is past the 2010 NFL trade deadline, any player cut by his team is subject to the NFL's waiver system. For Randy Moss (and any team wanting his services) this means three things.

1) Every team is able to submit a claim for Randy Moss. His contract will be awarded to the team that submits a claim and is highest on the waiver request list. This list is created by reversing the NFL league-wide standings. (Much like the NFL draft order.)

2) Any team that is awarded his contract will be liable for the money remaining on the $6.4 million he is owed this season. That pro-rated amount is (roughly) $3.4 million for the rest of the 2010-11 NFL season.

3) If no team submits a claim for Moss, he "clears" waivers and his contract is voided. At that point, he becomes a unrestricted free agent. Any team can sign him for whatever amount he agrees to.

The Waiver Order

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 29-20. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

1. Buffalo Bills
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Carolina Panthers
4. Denver Broncos
5. San Francisco 49ers
6. Cincinnati Bengals
7. Cleveland Browns
8. Detroit Lions
9. Minnesota Vikings
10. San Diego Chargers
11. Arizona Cardinals
12. Jacksonville Jaguars
13. Oakland Raiders
14. Washington Redskins
15. St. Louis Rams
16. Miami Dolphins
17. Chicago Bears
18. Philadelphia Eagles
19. Seattle Seahawks
20. Tennessee Titans
21. Green Bay Packers
22. New Orleans Saints
23. Indianapolis Colts
24. Houston Texans
25. Kansas City Chiefs
26. Pittsburgh Steelers
27. Atlanta Falcons
28. New York Jets
29. Baltimore Ravens
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
31. New York Giants
32. New England Patriots

New England Patriots

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 and Randy Moss of the New England Patriots sit on the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Think about it...just think about it.

The New England Patriots trade Randy Moss to Minnesota, getting a third-round pick in return. Five weeks later, they have the best record in football and get Moss back—adding him to an offense already having quite a bit of success.

The Patriots don't need Moss, but they'd know how to use him. Belichick and company have one distinct advantage over every other NFL team...

Moss wants to be there.

If any team thinking about claiming Moss actually asks the wide receiver where he wants to play, he will undoubtedly regal them with the same Patriot-loving speech that sped his way out of Minneapolis.

The Patriots, at No. 32 on the waiver order, don't need to submit a claim for Moss. They can sit back and let him clear waivers and then sign him at a deep discount.

Miami Dolphins

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 8: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots catches a pass during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on November 8, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won 27-17. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

In the words of Lee Corso...

Not so fast my friends.

Other teams aren't going to just sit back and let the Patriots have Moss. Keeping him off the Patriots could be the biggest reason for a number of teams—within the conference and the division—to claim Moss.

In the AFC East, it is hard to think the Buffalo Bills really want to take on Moss. (Although, they did bring T.O. in last year.)

The New York Jets already have two impending free agent receivers they need to worry about and little room for Moss in the game plan.

The Dolphins on the other hand, could use a man like Moss to replace Brian Hartline as the Dolphins second outside receiver—giving Davone Bess plenty of room to operate in the middle of the field.

Lending credence to this suggestion. Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that Miami has already expressed interest in submitting a claim.

Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 5: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings runs upfield against cornerback Ralph Brown #33 of the Chicago Bears on December 5, 2004 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 24-14. (Photo by Jo

The AFC East isn't the only division aware of Moss' ability.

The NFC North has spent the last couple of weeks keeping an eye on the one-time superstar and has that much more ability to gauge what he has left.

Not to mention that Moss was clearly disgruntled with the offensive scheme in Minnesota and would gladly tell his new team all about different tendencies, coaching points and what to look out for.

In the NFC North, Green Bay has the best shot at the playoffs, but doesn't have a huge need at wide receiver. Yet, Ted Thompson has flirted with the chance of landing Moss before.

Detroit is still in rebuilding mode and is perfectly happy with Nate Burleson across from Calvin Johnson. Coach Jim Schwartz has already answered a question about Moss, saying: "This isn't fantasy football."

That leaves Chicago. The Bears are starving for some talent at the wide receiver position and could use some veteran leadership—using that term very loosely. None of their current wideouts are true on-the-line X-receivers and Moss could be very good for them.

Plus, Moss would be very fired up both times Chicago plays the Vikings for the rest of the season.

Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 6: Randy Moss #18 of the Oakland Raiders leaps against Marcus Trufant #23 of the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field November 6, 2006 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 16-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

More so than any team this season, the Seattle Seahawks have been willing to give players a shot. The Seahawks have been active with the waiver wire, trades and try-outs, trying to add talent to a roster that hasn't seen much in recent years.

General manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll have left no stone unturned when it comes to improving their football team.

Now, the Seahawks are 4-3 and are among the last in the league in scoring.

While Mike Williams has redeemed himself in Seattle, surely Randy Moss could help out a bit as well!

Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball after catching a pass during a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on August 28, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Imag

The Redskins, right now, should be the most desperate team in all of football.

Looking at their schedule, they are entering a bye week and then have a Monday night home game against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. If the Redskins can win that game, they're second in the division and play the No. 1 team—the New York Giants—twice in the second half of the season.

Right now, the Redskins aren't in the playoff hunt, but they can be.

Adding Randy Moss to the Redskins makes a lot of sense. It bumps Anthony Armstrong (who has been great) into the fourth wide receiver role—where he does not have to worry about press coverage. It allows Santana Moss and Chris Cooley greater freedom to run the underneath routes. It makes up for deficiencies in the run game. (Getting Clinton Portis back could also remedy that.)

Adding Moss also gives the Redskins players and fan base reason to believe the team is still trying to win at all costs.

Of all the teams on this list, Washington is the highest on the waiver order and Dan Snyder has always been willing to spend money.

Washington should pull the trigger and try to salvage their season.

Michael Schottey is the managing editor of the College Writing Internship here at Bleacher Report. He has also covered the NFL extensively since 2006. He is a co-owner of DraftTek.com and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.