2021 Off-Season Thread

[Vanimal46]

Riley Reiff was released. I would have liked to see a 2 year extension vs outright cutting him. But that’s how it goes when you’re cap strapped every year. Is Ezra Cleveland ready to be a full time LT? Either way, we now have 2 massive holes to fill on the OL.

[nicksaviking]

In a vacuum I totally would have kept Reiff, but obviously this had to be done. Hopefully this is the first of several band aids to be ripped off. Even putting aside the Cousins situation, I think this has to be done with Barr and Harrison Smith too.

 

And that's nothing against those players, they've been great players and great teammates, it's just time.

 

I fear Zimmer wouldn't let Spielman anywhere near his beloved veteran defensive players though.

 

Edit: Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but looks like Smith's base salary is less then the cap hit? So I'd guess cutting him would make no impact on the cap situation.

[Mike Sixel]

Cousins will die. Bummer. And cook well get crushed. They should just punt the season, no way this FO can fix two huge holes in the OL. Most years they can't find one good player....

[TheLeviathan]

In a vacuum I totally would have kept Reiff, but obviously this had to be done. Hopefully this is the first of several band aids to be ripped off. Even putting aside the Cousins situation, I think this has to be done with Barr and Harrison Smith too.

 

And that's nothing against those players, they've been great players and great teammates, it's just time.

 

I fear Zimmer wouldn't let Spielman anywhere near his beloved veteran defensive players though.

 

Edit: Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but looks like Smith's base salary is less then the cap hit? So I'd guess cutting him would make no impact on the cap situation.

Cutting Smith would save us 9M, he has no dead money. Barr would save 5.

 

Not a fan of outright losing Reiff. The guy had a good year and now means we still have two OL holes to fill.

[TheLeviathan]

Check that...Barr is closer to 7-8. Stephen should be cut too. That would gave them, minus money for the draft class, probably 12 or so to play with.

 

Bringing back Weatherly....ugh.

[Danchat]

 

In a vacuum I totally would have kept Reiff, but obviously this had to be done. Hopefully this is the first of several band aids to be ripped off. Even putting aside the Cousins situation, I think this has to be done with Barr and Harrison Smith too.

 

And that's nothing against those players, they've been great players and great teammates, it's just time.

 

I fear Zimmer wouldn't let Spielman anywhere near his beloved veteran defensive players though.

 

Edit: Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but looks like Smith's base salary is less then the cap hit? So I'd guess cutting him would make no impact on the cap situation.

Doogie has reported that the Vikings are discussing an extension with Smith, so they'll likely lower this 2021 hit and add some guarantees. He'll be back.

 

As for Reiff... they're likely going to see a downgrade in play at LT. If they're planning on being a playoff contender in 2021, I don't like the move.

[Vanimal46]

KC released both of their starting OT, Eric Fischer and All-Pro Mitchell Schwartz. Good luck, Pat Mahomes. Schwartz would be a dream signing for the Vikings, but, you know, no money. 

[TheLeviathan]

 

KC released both of their starting OT, Eric Fischer and All-Pro Mitchell Schwartz. Good luck, Pat Mahomes. Schwartz would be a dream signing for the Vikings, but, you know, no money. 

 

Wow....did they miss the Super Bowl?

[Mike Sixel]

Wow....did they miss the Super Bowl?

They both did. Fisher might not be ready to play next year.....

[TheLeviathan]

 

They both did. Fisher might not be ready to play next year.....

 

I meant their FO and what their protection looked like,

[Danchat]

 

KC released both of their starting OT, Eric Fischer and All-Pro Mitchell Schwartz. Good luck, Pat Mahomes. Schwartz would be a dream signing for the Vikings, but, you know, no money. 

Well, Schwartz missed most the season with a back injury, and then you'd have to move O'Neill to LT... not sure I love that. I'd be 100% down for Schwartz in his prime.

 

I also saw that they're letting their starting center Austin Reiter go, so they're basically overhauling their whole O-line. The Raiders also just cut/traded their LG, RG, and RT in the last week. Lots of veteran O-linemen will be signing next week - I'm predicting the Vikings will land Kevin Zeitler.

[nicksaviking]

Doogie has reported that the Vikings are discussing an extension with Smith, so they'll likely lower this 2021 hit and add some guarantees. He'll be back.

 

As for Reiff... they're likely going to see a downgrade in play at LT. If they're planning on being a playoff contender in 2021, I don't like the move.

Playoff contender and Super Bowl contender are different. The longer they put off the inevitable, the longer until they can be a real SB contender. I’d punt 2021, get the cap situation in line, get the young guys a year of experience and good draft position in 2022.

[Mike Sixel]

Playoff contender and Super Bowl contender are different. The longer they put off the inevitable, the longer until they can be a real SB contender. I’d punt 2021, get the cap situation in line, get the young guys a year of experience and good draft position in 2022.

Truth

[TheLeviathan]

Packers just foolishly paid Aaron Jones 12M a year.  So at least we share in that stupidity with them.

[Danchat]

 

Packers just foolishly paid Aaron Jones 12M a year.  So at least we share in that stupidity with them.

I don't hate that price for him, I just don't get paying him and spending a 2nd on AJ Dillon. If you're spending a 2nd rounder on a RB, he needs to become your top dog eventually. Feels like a lesser version of drafting Gerhart when you've got Peterson in his prime.

[Danchat]

 

Playoff contender and Super Bowl contender are different. The longer they put off the inevitable, the longer until they can be a real SB contender. I’d punt 2021, get the cap situation in line, get the young guys a year of experience and good draft position in 2022.

I get this, but Spielman is trying to get this team back to being a playoff contender while we want it to be a SB contender. And axing Reiff is going to make it harder to get back to that point. So I guess it's a good move then, because it makes it more likely everyone gets fired at the end of 2021?

[nicksaviking]

I get this, but Spielman is trying to get this team back to being a playoff contender while we want it to be a SB contender. And axing Reiff is going to make it harder to get back to that point. So I guess it's a good move then, because it makes it more likely everyone gets fired at the end of 2021?

That’s a year later than I was hoping for, but yeah. This organization is stale as hell, time for a complete reboot.

 

Though I have a feeling Spielman will avoid the axe regardless.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I don't hate that price for him, I just don't get paying him and spending a 2nd on AJ Dillon. If you're spending a 2nd rounder on a RB, he needs to become your top dog eventually. Feels like a lesser version of drafting Gerhart when you've got Peterson in his prime.

 

Dan, I'm basically at the point where any second contract for a RB is a bad move.  Draft one in the 4th/5th round every other year or so and churn em out.  Invest in the line instead.

[TheLeviathan]

So....Barr restructures for cap room in exchange for us voiding the last two years of his deal?

 

That's....like a super duper double win right?  I'm still trying to wrap my head around how those talks went where him voiding 30M is a win for him?

[Mike Sixel]

So....Barr restructures for cap room in exchange for us voiding the last two years of his deal?

 

That's....like a super duper double win right? I'm still trying to wrap my head around how those talks went where him voiding 30M is a win for him?

Maybe better than being released? But, yes. God job

[Vanimal46]

I'm predicting the Vikings will land Kevin Zeitler.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1371415699470565377?s=20

 

One of Doogie Wolfson’s hot takes didn’t come true again. Weird.

[Vanimal46]

So....Barr restructures for cap room in exchange for us voiding the last two years of his deal?

 

That's....like a super duper double win right? I'm still trying to wrap my head around how those talks went where him voiding 30M is a win for him?

 

https://twitter.com/tompelissero/status/1371478691390353412?s=21

 

Ends up being $2.9 million in savings. Sounds like he wants to try getting one more long term contract next year when he’s 30 and the cap going up. You and I and others have been saying for years he’s in the wrong scheme. If he ever lands on a 3-4 defense it will be interesting to see what he’s like as a full time pass rusher.

[TheLeviathan]

In case the dire state of offensive lineplay across the league had evaded you, I give you this:

 

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2021/03/121717/carolina-panthers-signing-former-ohio-state-offensive-lineman-pat-elflein-to-three-year-135-million-contract

[Danchat]

Lots of reports on who the Vikings are going after, here’s a summary: https://mobile.twitter.com/skoltanishka/status/1371505207448903683

 

Looks like defense is the focus, no surprise there. I wouldn’t be shocked if they skimp on the OL again.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Lots of reports on who the Vikings are going after, here’s a summary: https://mobile.twitter.com/skoltanishka/status/1371505207448903683

Looks like defense is the focus, no surprise there. I wouldn’t be shocked if they skimp on the OL again.

 

I'd be shocked if they can compete with the big cap room teams like the Bengals and Jets for Thuney.

 

I do hope we see a signing under that, but adding (hypothetically) Griffin and Lawson means they have no reason to do anything but take OL in round 1.  

[TheLeviathan]

Thuney to KC. Not sure we were ever in that one.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Thuney to KC. Not sure we were ever in that one.

 

No chance. They'll sign some ok, cheap, guys. Then trade down in round 1 to make up for the idiotic trade that cost them a 2nd....take an ok player or two, win 9 games, and lose in round 1 of the playoffs....then be bad in the following year, rinse, repeat, until this FO is gone.

[nicksaviking]

 

 I wouldn’t be shocked if they skimp on the OL again.

 

I agree.

 

Though threatening Cousins with violence and grievous injury is a pretty devious ploy to get him to better facilitate a trade.

[TheLeviathan]

 

No chance. They'll sign some ok, cheap, guys. Then trade down in round 1 to make up for the idiotic trade that cost them a 2nd....take an ok player or two, win 9 games, and lose in round 1 of the playoffs....then be bad in the following year, rinse, repeat, until this FO is gone.

 

I think they're going to make some big moves, I just don't think we could have bought our way to him agreeing.  

 

I do hope we land an OL with our first and sign at least one dude.  But the defensive line certainly needs attention too, so if the big splash is Lawson I'm ok with that.  

[Mike Sixel]

 

I think they're going to make some big moves, I just don't think we could have bought our way to him agreeing.  

 

I do hope we land an OL with our first and sign at least one dude.  But the defensive line certainly needs attention too, so if the big splash is Lawson I'm ok with that.  

 

I hope you are right......they need at least 3 new starters, more like 5. That doesn't even count their depth issues.