Under Contract In 2022

Tomlinson is making that much? Ouch

@"pattersaur" said: Tomlinson is making that much? Ouch

This chart makes it real easy to see which players will have to be targeted to get the cap in order.

I would think that chart would be very appealing to a potential HC candidate, as there are not a a lot of holes to fill in comparison to most of the other openings.  CB and DT on defense need to be upgraded and we need to figure out the G/C on offense.  The biggest question mark on the roster that a candidate will want to address is the QB position moving forward.  

The ball is in Cousins court as to how this will pay out. Obviously his contract is not going to work. So here are the options:

1. Cut Cousins - massive cap hit, no savings, no return = insane

2. Trade Cousins - with a big pick haul this may be the way to go. He would likely command high competition in the market, with teams desperately needing an improvement at the position. Big problem is you’re likely eating a chunk of his cap. That chunk along with the cap hit of a lesser talent brought in and it’s probably a wash. Bring in a star like Wilson and the cap hit is worse than keeping him.

3. New contract - 3 years around $100 million. Cap hit roughly $33-35 per year. Would free up significant cap this year and make the next two palatable considering the market. Retain a high performance starter while freeing up spending going forward for where we desperately need it - defense.

I’d go with option 3, but I place a ton of emphasis on passing under pressure/blitz and Cousins is one of the best in the business at that. 
Even with Cousins squared away, more moves will be needed. Pierce will need to be restructured or cut. Thielen and one or two more will need a restructure. 
It’s not going to be easy, but $15 to $20 million under the cap before free agency is well within reach - if Cousins cooperates.

Just my opinion, trade Cousins and get what you can for him.  With the cap salary in shambles (approximately 14 million over), depleted defense, and other over-paid veterans...Yes Folks, the Vikings are in rebuilding mode.  Too many holes to fill and other contracts to redo and one year players walking out the door, theirs no way other than to rebuild.  2022 is going to be another down year.

CB position looks really bleak, will need to address that in the draft.  At least with a new coaching staff, rookies may get a chance for significant playing time because depth at many positions is bad.

@"Greylock" said: CB position looks really bleak, will need to address that in the draft.  At least with a new coaching staff, rookies may get a chance for significant playing time because depth at many positions is bad.

@"Greylock" said: CB position looks really bleak, will need to address that in the draft.  At least with a new coaching staff, rookies may get a chance for significant playing time because depth at many positions is bad.

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"Greylock" said: CB position looks really bleak, will need to address that in the draft.  At least with a new coaching staff, rookies may get a chance for significant playing time because depth at many positions is bad.

Will need to address the whole back 7 in the draft. A damn joke we have to focus on that this much

@"JustinTime18™" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"Greylock" said: CB position looks really bleak, will need to address that in the draft.  At least with a new coaching staff, rookies may get a chance for significant playing time because depth at many positions is bad.

Will need to address the whole back 7 in the draft. A damn joke we have to focus on that this much

One of the reasons I like Ryans. Maybe chicken salad out of their back 4. 

Just reopened this thread and realized how happy I am that Mannion is not on the chart.

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"JustinTime18™" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"Greylock" said: CB position looks really bleak, will need to address that in the draft.  At least with a new coaching staff, rookies may get a chance for significant playing time because depth at many positions is bad.

Will need to address the whole back 7 in the draft. A damn joke we have to focus on that this much

One of the reasons I like Ryans. Maybe chicken salad out of their back 4. 

I'm open to him as well. Surprised I haven't seen any "He's too young to be HC" yet...although I dont care about that at all. I haven't done a lot of research on him nor have I listened to interviews from him but becoming DC in 5 years is pretty impressive.

@"Skodin" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"JustinTime18™" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"Greylock" said: CB position looks really bleak, will need to address that in the draft.  At least with a new coaching staff, rookies may get a chance for significant playing time because depth at many positions is bad.

Will need to address the whole back 7 in the draft. A damn joke we have to focus on that this much

One of the reasons I like Ryans. Maybe chicken salad out of their back 4. 

I'm open to him as well. Surprised I haven't seen any "He's too young to be HC" yet...although I dont care about that at all. I haven't done a lot of research on him nor have I listened to interviews from him but becoming DC in 5 years is pretty impressive.

I mean he was a damn good MLB for his career.  Top performer for a long time on good teams.  I like Ryans, especially based on his statements about being flexibility and modifying based opponents vs being rigid

How much do they need to set aside for the Mannion contract?

@"pattersaur" said: Just reopened this thread and realized how happy I am that Mannion is not on the chart.

Biggest areas of need look like CB, LB, IOL,  and TE.  I do not see a whole rebuild. But we do need to get the cap situation fixed so that might create more holes. And we owe Hunter some $18M (?) very soon.  Some young guys are going to have to be productive.  But getting rid of Zimmer has me optimistic.