2021 Off-Season Thread

[Danchat]

 

That's like the rest of their cap space, what is going on here? Is Peterson still better than Gladney and Dantzler? Those are two of the three returning defensive starters that I was actually looking forward to seeing again next year.

 

And restructuring Thielan to make it happen? You've got to be kidding me. Stop kicking the can on veteran salaries. There's next to no chance that paying a 32 or 33-year old WR will actually look like a good idea in a year or two.

 

I'm very disappointed. No one is hiding the fact that they are sacrificing the future with longshot moves to try to save their jobs anymore. The Wilfs need to put an end to this.

The Wilfs did give them a three year extension last fall, so they shouldn't be surprised by this. This is what they signed up for.

 

Most teams are making financial moves like this, anticipating the cap will rise with new TV deals, but yeah, I'm not sure it's the best move for a 7-9 team to act like they're going on a SB run. At least for Zimmer, it's pretty clear he's betting on the defense making a big rebound because he knows he's canned if he can't fix it.

 

I'll pencil in Peterson as our #2 CB. Gladney will likely relegate to the slot, and his coverage numbers were among the worst in the NFL, so while I expect him to improve, it'd be better to him to be out there 60/70% of the snaps instead of 100%. Dantzler had a strong rookie year and the sky's the limit for him. I'd put him on speedier WRs and put Peterson on more physical ones. It would help the DBs a lot if our pass rush was improved... but outside of Hunter (who's another neck tweak away from missing another season, a la Mike Hughes), who's going to put heat on opposing QBs? Tomlinson is an average rusher, Weatherly is among the league's worst since 2019, Wonnum has promise but is still raw, and James Lynch showed nothing in 2020... they need to find some pass rush.

[TheLeviathan]

Peterson was not good last year but maybe a prove it deals brings back his form. He had a lot of contract drama down here in AZ, change of scenery may be good for him.

 

None of it matters if we have the same lousy pass rush. All-pros all over cant keep guys covered for 10-15 seconds.

[Vanimal46]

 

Interesting that Amazon Prime bought exclusive rights to TNF. I’ve never thought about getting ESPN+ before, but if they have a version of Sunday Ticket I’ll look into it.

[nicksaviking]

Thielen's cap numbers are now $12M in 2021, $13M in 2022 and $15.4M in 2023.

 

I'm not sure how much of that is dead money, but at least $11M is. After this season probably would have been an ideal time to part ways with him too. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Thielen's cap numbers are now $12M in 2021, $13M in 2022 and $15.4M in 2023.

 

I'm not sure how much of that is dead money, but at least $11M is. After this season probably would have been an ideal time to part ways with him too. 

 

The Vikes are the anti-Patriots.....never parting with a player TOO early...

[Vanimal46]

Yep. We’re taking loans from our future to go all in on a .500 team. So now when this eventual salary cap boom happens we’ll have 1/2 the money other teams will have.

[gunnarthor]

I think some of this doom and gloom is overstated. The biggest issues for the team are (IMHO)

 

1) pass rush

2) run defense

3) secondary

4) using the offensive tools the correct way

 

Looks like the Vikings are working on the first three. I don't know if the new o-coordinator is going to be as conservative as the old one but the offense, even with the o-line issues, is good and could be a lot better with a better scheme. If we're a 60% run team and run Cook into the ground, nothing probably matters. But if the team lets the passing attack push up the score and let the defense play with a lead, they should be better.

[Danchat]

 

Thielen's cap numbers are now $12M in 2021, $13M in 2022 and $15.4M in 2023.

 

I'm not sure how much of that is dead money, but at least $11M is. After this season probably would have been an ideal time to part ways with him too. 

They pushed $7.5M guaranteed across 2022-2024 at $2.5M each. Next year would have been a good time to trade Thielen, but now they'll have to take a $11.1M cap hit to do so. His cap hits of $16.9M, $17.95M, and $17.1M are pretty high for a guy who will be 32-34.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Interesting that Amazon Prime bought exclusive rights to TNF. I’ve never thought about getting ESPN+ before, but if they have a version of Sunday Ticket I’ll look into it.

 

This sounds like a death nail for satellite dishes.  I dig it.

[nicksaviking]

 

I think some of this doom and gloom is overstated. The biggest issues for the team are (IMHO)

 

1) pass rush

2) run defense

3) secondary

4) using the offensive tools the correct way

 

Looks like the Vikings are working on the first three. I don't know if the new o-coordinator is going to be as conservative as the old one but the offense, even with the o-line issues, is good and could be a lot better with a better scheme. If we're a 60% run team and run Cook into the ground, nothing probably matters. But if the team lets the passing attack push up the score and let the defense play with a lead, they should be better.

 

Those are the biggest issues for 2021.

 

I don't think the team is capable of contending for a title next year though so as far as I care, all the issues of 2021 are superseded by the issues of the future, which are continually being compounded by this team trying to fix issues for 2021.

 

If this team had tanked like they should have after the 1-5 start, dumped Cousins this year, prepared to dump Barr and Thielen and let Harrison Smith walk next year, they could have been in position to draft a young, talented, CHEAP quarterback in May and had all the money they could have possibly needed to rebuild the O Line and Defense in 2022 free agency.

 

Out the window now.

[Mike Sixel]

I think some of this doom and gloom is overstated. The biggest issues for the team are (IMHO)

 

1) pass rush

2) run defense

3) secondary

4) using the offensive tools the correct way

 

Looks like the Vikings are working on the first three. I don't know if the new o-coordinator is going to be as conservative as the old one but the offense, even with the o-line issues, is good and could be a lot better with a better scheme. If we're a 60% run team and run Cook into the ground, nothing probably matters. But if the team lets the passing attack push up the score and let the defense play with a lead, they should be better.

They also lost a starting OL.....

[gunnarthor]

 

Those are the biggest issues for 2021.

 

I don't think the team is capable of contending for a title next year though so as far as I care, all the issues of 2021 are superseded by the issues of the future, which are continually being compounded by this team trying to fix issues for 2021.

 

If this team had tanked like they should have after the 1-5 start, dumped Cousins this year, prepared to dump Barr and Thielen and let Harrison Smith walk next year, they could have been in position to draft a young, talented, CHEAP quarterback in May and had all the money they could have possibly needed to rebuild the O Line and Defense in 2022 free agency.

 

Out the window now.

In all honesty, when has tanking worked in the NFL? Even at 1-5, with two one point losses to really good teams, we weren't that bad. No way we could end up with a top 3 pick in this draft which is where the top 3 QBs will go. With the cap falling, and how getting rid of Cousins would impact our cap space, I don't think FA was going to fix the o-line and looking at what the really good o-linemen have gotten in FA so far, I think I'm right. Plus, while the o-line is problematic, it wasn't what held us back. Our run defense and inability to pressure the QB was the main problem. A healthy Hunter, Pierce and a few other pieces, this could be a solid defense again. 

 

 

 

[TheLeviathan]

 

Those are the biggest issues for 2021.

 

I don't think the team is capable of contending for a title next year though so as far as I care, all the issues of 2021 are superseded by the issues of the future, which are continually being compounded by this team trying to fix issues for 2021.

 

If this team had tanked like they should have after the 1-5 start, dumped Cousins this year, prepared to dump Barr and Thielen and let Harrison Smith walk next year, they could have been in position to draft a young, talented, CHEAP quarterback in May and had all the money they could have possibly needed to rebuild the O Line and Defense in 2022 free agency.

 

Out the window now.

 

I'm going to disagree slightly, I said last year that the team should've made that year a "One Last Stand" kind of year with no extensions.  Well, they didn't do that and we're saddled with the consequences.  I don't think they could have sold off and rebuilt all that effectively mid-season.  Personally, I think the best time will be next offseason.  Cousins will be a more attractive trade candidate (less guarantees and less available on the open market), there will be significant cap room, the young players will have shown who they are and what we can build around.  

 

That said, I think if they have a shot to add the QB of the future this year (be it Lance or maybe Kellen Mond in the third round) they should do it.  Start grooming a potential replacement now rather than putting yourself in a Ponder type situation.  Plus, it's better than having Sean Mannion as your backup.

 

Let's also hope they make that Orlando Brown trade happen.  If they do we could be looking at a line that looks like this:

 

Brown-Vera Tucker -Bradly - Cleveland - O'Neill.  I'll take that all day long.  

 

Now, safety and pass rush?  Well, not sure what we're doing there.  Perhaps that's where Udoh replaces Vera-Tucker and we draft one in the first.  But to me we roll into next year trying to win it while continuing to add long-term pieces at the same time.

[Vanimal46]

My FA wish list now that some moves have been made:

 

C Austin Reiter. He was a guy I targeted in January and we don’t have much time left. KC made him an offer to return back to their team. Highly graded pass blocker, decent run blocker.

 

G Forrest Lamp. Injuries have plagued his career so far. That’s why he’s available for cheap.

 

T Riley Reiff. If he’s not getting solid offers elsewhere, he could certainly play here again.

 

Reiter could be at center, and kick out Bradbury to guard. 1st round is looking like OL, and personally I’m rooting for one of Darrisaw, Sewell, or Slater to fall. Then, for once in a very long time, there’s a little depth and substance at OL.

 

LT: Anticipated 1st round pick / Reiff

LG: Lamp / Anticipated mid round pick

C: Reiter

RG: Bradbury / Hinton / Udoh

RT: O’Niell

[Mike Sixel]

Reiff signed today....elsewhere....

[Vanimal46]

Reiff signed today....

Well that didn’t take long! The Bengals probably have a similar idea for him to be a backup or bridge to their #5 overall pick.

[Danchat]

Here's a quick list of where former Vikings signed this week:

 

Rudolph - Giants - 2 years, $14M

Reiff - Bengals - 1 year, $7.5M

Harris - Eagles - 1 year, $5M

Odenigbo - Giants - 1 year, $2.5M

Boone - Broncos - 2 years, $3.85M

 

How Harris only got $5M, I don't know. He should have taken one of the offers the Vikings gave him last offseason!

[TheLeviathan]

Man, those Reiff and Harris deals wouldn't have been bad flyers to take on "prove-it" type thinking.  Those were pretty low risk, decent upside signings.

[nicksaviking]

Man, those Reiff and Harris deals wouldn't have been bad flyers to take on "prove-it" type thinking.  Those were pretty low risk, decent upside signings.

Hmmmm...Seems like they could have had Reiff AND Odenigbo for nearly the same amount as Peterson AND they could have used their first round pick on the BPA, instead of claiming the pick was a BPA but was actually always going to be an OL all along.

[Danchat]

2022 payroll update - Kirk's 2022 salary of $35M guaranteed last Friday, ensuring that his cap hit in 2022 will be an enormous $45M. Not only that, but the Vikings also restructured Barr's deal (yes, after the pay cut) and transferred $5.2M to 2022 as a void year, meaning he'll count on the books for that much in 2022 despite hitting the market. 

 

Our 2022 payroll is currently at approximately $183M, which is even more than the 2021 salary. That's... not good, to say the least. (Meanwhile, the Twins have about $48M of commitments to pay in 2022!) 2021 better go well for everyone here, because they won't have much to spend next year either!

[gunnarthor]

Vikes traded for a 6th round pick for a G/C Mason Cole from Arizona. Sounds like Cole is better as a guard. Could be a non-disaster starter but won't be a huge fix. Probably a placeholder and ideally a solid back-up.

[Mike Sixel]

6th round pick? Good trade even if it doesn't work

[nicksaviking]

Yeah, trading for a guard seems like a good idea even though I have no idea if this guy has any skill.

 

If we were to assume that 6th round pick were an OL, this was a great move considering the lack of success this team has had drafting OL in the mid to late rounds.

[TheLeviathan]

He was considered their starting center until Hudson was acquired.  It's a good price to pay for a chance.

[Mike Sixel]

Alexander back?

[nicksaviking]

So high round picks on Gladney, Dantzler and Hughes with Hill, Hand and Boyd as pretty solid depth options and all 25-years-old or younger, and now Peterson and Alexander signed as free agents. I really don’t mind loading up on a position, but when your cap is an issue and you have tons of holes I’m not sure how wise this is.

 

Anyway, at least one, if not two of these guys are getting moved to safety right? That has to be it.

[TheLeviathan]

It definitely does make me wonder about the plan at safety.  I think Hand got reps at FS last year in training camp?  I could be wrong.

 

I can't be upset about the Alexander signing, he was a good slot corner for us.  But continuing to spend first round picks on corners like drunk sailors is something I am way, way over.

[Danchat]

 

Vikings signed S Xavier Woods, formerly of the Cowboys, to a one-year deal worth up to $2.25 million.

 

Getting Woods and Alexander dirt cheap are great moves. Woods is an above-average FS who can cover deep and let Harry do his thing as a roving SS. He won't be a ballhawk, but he should solidify the role and will hopefully prevent the Vikings from reaching on a safety in the draft.

 

Alexander coming back at the veteran minimum is great, he pushes Gladney to the bench (Zimmer loves to wait until year 3 to start CBs), he's been a capable nickel. 

 

I did not see this much help coming for the defense this offseason... but I'm still worried about our pass rush (gotta give Hunter a raise, and we're one neck tweak away from having zero good pass rushers), and our offensive line is primed to be worse than its 2020 form. But Zimmer should be able to get this group to be a top 10 unit.

[TheLeviathan]

Hmmm, they did really shore up the secondary at a relatively cheap price.  That pass rush still worries the hell out of me.

 

Maybe more than the OL.

[Mike Sixel]

No excuses for the supposed genius..... if they pass on OL in round one, good luck....