The Minnesota Vikings currently have a lot of decisions to make over the next few weeks. They currently sit $24 million over the salary cap and have a lot of high-priced veterans that they need to make decisions on.
Reporting from the NFL Scouting Combine, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler mentioned three veterans that the Vikings could move on from: wide receiver Adam Thielen, safety Harrison Smith and linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Of those three, Thielen was mentioned as a contract that “must be reworked.”
Watch for the Minnesota Vikings to make some moves with veteran players, too. Receiver Adam Thielen’s $20 million cap hit must be reworked, and it wouldn’t surprise if talks resulted in a fresh start. His role in the offense could be an issue after Thielen averaged 6.4 targets per game, down from 7.3 in 2021. He believes he has more to offer than that, and Minnesota very well could enter the receiver market in free agency or via trade. Safety Harrison Smith ($19.1 million) and linebacker Eric Kendricks ($11.4 million) are veterans to watch, as well. The Vikings could ask them to restructure their contracts or take pay cuts. The sense here is Smith stays on, even if it’s at a reworked salary.
Thielen wanting more of a role shouldn’t be much of a surprise. He became the third option at best once T.J. Hockenson came in. Whether he stays or goes, it’s a near certainty that Thielen won’t be back at his current cap hit of nearly $20 million.
As far as Kendricks and Smith are concerned, they provide different challenges. Kendricks doesn’t have the speed to run in coverage anymore and will likely be cut to save over $9 million. Smith feels like a perfect player for Flores’ defense. Versatile, smart and uses instincts to win.
How the Vikings approach things will be interesting and really tell the story of what the 2023 team will look like.
