08-13-2021, 12:30 PM
SB: Regarding a possible Harrison Smith extension, you said on your podcast that the Vikings made him an offer before training camp. In your opinion, are the differences between the two sides due to the overall money or the structure (backloading) of the deal?
DW: On Harrison Smith, someone from his camp and Rob Brzezinski got together in person in July. That is a sign that there’s been a solid effort to get an extension done. But yeah, hear the offer was backloaded. I sense that the two sides can eventually find a happy medium.
SB: Any updates on Brian O’Neill’s negotiations?
DW: On Brian O’Neill, no specific update from me. I’ll tell you that talks are ongoing. I’d bet more $$ on him getting done than Harry, and I feel relatively good that they’ll get Harry done!
SB: Have you heard any steam on the Vikings adding any free agents? Perhaps there’s a position or two of interest? And anything new with Everson Griffen?
DW: With Blake Proehl going down, adding another WR body wouldn’t shock me. No Everson Griffen steam. He’s ghosted me! We DM’ed a bunch a few weeks ago, he agreed to do an interview. But now he’s MIA. I’d be SHOCKED if he landed back here. They were not in at all on Justin Houston, FWIW, so not sure I see a DE addition in the next 1-2 weeks.
I sense, for the most part, what you see is what you’re going to get September 12. But as you know, the roster is always fluid. The 53-man on Sept. 12 won’t be the same 53-man on Oct. 12.
SB: The roster is always changing. Looking ahead, do you think there’s much impact to adding void years to a few of the player contracts this offseason?
DW: So, on the void years, presumably you’re referencing Sheldon Richardson and Dalvin Tomlinson, maybe Anthony Barr? More, my read, is because the cap will bounce back in the coming years. What will be fascinating is to see how this year plays out and how much different this roster will be in 2022 if this is a non-playoff year.
SB: Kirk Cousins’ $45 million cap hit next season. That can’t happen… Right?
DW: On Cousins, not hard to believe that the Covid kerfuffle, even a week later, still has enough people upset. He blamed the lack of space for their meeting room! You can’t make it up! If Carson Wentz can be traded, Cousins can. But be careful what you wish for. Not like Mond is going to be fully ready next year, and Cousins is still a top 10-13 signal-caller.
SB: What about Danielle Hunter and his $18M roster bonus? What are the chances a deal is done before that triggers?
DW: Danielle Hunter looks like the old Danielle. I talked with Stephen Weatherly about that on Monday, and he said, he looks better than in 2019. He’s a guy the Vikings want long-term and I can definitely see something getting worked out.
DW: On Harrison Smith, someone from his camp and Rob Brzezinski got together in person in July. That is a sign that there’s been a solid effort to get an extension done. But yeah, hear the offer was backloaded. I sense that the two sides can eventually find a happy medium.
SB: Any updates on Brian O’Neill’s negotiations?
DW: On Brian O’Neill, no specific update from me. I’ll tell you that talks are ongoing. I’d bet more $$ on him getting done than Harry, and I feel relatively good that they’ll get Harry done!
SB: Have you heard any steam on the Vikings adding any free agents? Perhaps there’s a position or two of interest? And anything new with Everson Griffen?
DW: With Blake Proehl going down, adding another WR body wouldn’t shock me. No Everson Griffen steam. He’s ghosted me! We DM’ed a bunch a few weeks ago, he agreed to do an interview. But now he’s MIA. I’d be SHOCKED if he landed back here. They were not in at all on Justin Houston, FWIW, so not sure I see a DE addition in the next 1-2 weeks.
I sense, for the most part, what you see is what you’re going to get September 12. But as you know, the roster is always fluid. The 53-man on Sept. 12 won’t be the same 53-man on Oct. 12.
SB: The roster is always changing. Looking ahead, do you think there’s much impact to adding void years to a few of the player contracts this offseason?
DW: So, on the void years, presumably you’re referencing Sheldon Richardson and Dalvin Tomlinson, maybe Anthony Barr? More, my read, is because the cap will bounce back in the coming years. What will be fascinating is to see how this year plays out and how much different this roster will be in 2022 if this is a non-playoff year.
SB: Kirk Cousins’ $45 million cap hit next season. That can’t happen… Right?
DW: On Cousins, not hard to believe that the Covid kerfuffle, even a week later, still has enough people upset. He blamed the lack of space for their meeting room! You can’t make it up! If Carson Wentz can be traded, Cousins can. But be careful what you wish for. Not like Mond is going to be fully ready next year, and Cousins is still a top 10-13 signal-caller.
SB: What about Danielle Hunter and his $18M roster bonus? What are the chances a deal is done before that triggers?
DW: Danielle Hunter looks like the old Danielle. I talked with Stephen Weatherly about that on Monday, and he said, he looks better than in 2019. He’s a guy the Vikings want long-term and I can definitely see something getting worked out.
