Viking FA's
The Vikings have 15 players entering free agency, and are currently more than $24 million over the salary cap. So who stays and who goes? Here’s a look at some of the big names.DALVIN TOMLINSON
When he was healthy, Dalvin Tomlinson clogged up the line of scrimmage. His biggest issue was health, after missing five games with a calf injury. He finished the 2022 season with 20 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. If they can find the right price, they should bring him back.
PATRICK PETERSON
Patrick Peterson just finished his 12th NFL season and proved he can still play. He was among the best in the Vikings’ secondary with five interceptions, and had 71 tackles in 17 games. He’s a leader in the locker room, and the Vikings should try to bring him back. He said recently on his podcast he wants to return for 2023.
GARRETT BRADBURY
The uncertainty on Garrett Bradbury’s face at locker room clean out day said it all. For the first time in his football career, he’s not sure what his future holds. The 2019 first round pick missed five straight games this season with a back injury. Bradbury now has chemistry with Kirk Cousins, and is a valuable asset to the offensive line. The Vikings should try to find a way to bring him back.
GREG JOSEPH
The Vikings have had their kicker issues, not excluding Greg Joseph, but he’s more than established himself as a capable kicker. He was 40-of-46 on extra points this season, and largely only had kicking issues from 50-plus yards out. He won NFC special teams honors twice this season, and should be the kicker going forward.
NICK MULLENS
The Vikings need a quarterback if Kirk Cousins gets hurt, and Nick Mullens has proven to be capable in the No. 2 spot. He went 11-of-13 for 116 yards in the second half of the season finale at Chicago, and had a touchdown pass the week before at Green Bay. The Vikings could do worse than Mullens playing behind Cousins, a lot worse.
CHANDON SULLIVAN
With Cam Dantzler and Akayleb Evans missing chunks of time due to injury issues, Chandon Sullivan got plenty of snaps at defensive back. He had 60 tackles, seven passes defended and one fumble recovery in 17 games and 10 starts, but it’s a safe bet that Sullivan won’t be in the Minnesota secondary in 2023.
IRV SMITH JR.
Irv Smith Jr. was set to be the next highly-touted Vikings tight end after Kyle Rudolph, but Smith hasn’t been able to stay healthy since being a second round pick in 2019. He played in just eight games this season, finishing with 25 catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns. He had a score against the Giants in the playoffs, and it’ll be interesting to see how the offense could look next season with Smith and T.J. Hockenson, if they decide to bring Smith back.
ALEXANDER MATTISON
Behind Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison had 74 carries for 283 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games this season. The Vikings have a decision to make on Cook, which also impacts Mattison’s future. He can be an effective runner, but can he be a lead back? In the interest of cost-cutting, the Vikings could opt to release Cook and keep Mattison.
KRIS BOYD
A seventh-round pick in 2019, Kris Boyd has primarily left his mark on special teams. He had 13 tackles this season in 17 games. He forced and recovered a fumble against the Saints in London. We’ll see if Boyd is back next season.
The Vikings also have decisions to make on veterans on the defense with expensive contracts, as well as wide receiver Adam Thielen, who has a near $20 million cap hit next season. Kirk Cousins is also due $36 million next season, barring a re-negotiated deal.
https://www.fox9.com/sports/minnesota-vikings-2023-free-agents-who-stays-who-goes
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I would like Joseph back probably Mullens too.
Mattison wont be retained unless Cook isnt back. Plus they got the rook RB from the draft last year.
The rest?
Meh...
Not a single guy on that list is a priority signing. They can all walk and we can get similar or upgraded production from guys already on the roster or street free agents.
From what I've heard during the season and now after, Dalvin Tomlinson is their largest priority. Some of that likely has to do with his dead money acceleration if his contract voids. On February 23rd he counts for $7.5M in dead money on the cap. If he is resigned prior to that only the $2.5M of his original contracts bonus proration will hit in 2023. So a big date to be aware of.
@"Geoff Nichols" said: From what I've heard during the season and now after, Dalvin Tomlinson is their largest priority. Some of that likely has to do with his dead money acceleration if his contract voids. On February 23rd he counts for $7.5M in dead money on the cap. If he is resigned prior to that only the $2.5M of his original contracts bonus proration will hit in 2023. So a big date to be aware of.What do you think will happen with p2 Geoff? The one on that list I'd like back is Joseph.
@"Geoff Nichols" said: From what I've heard during the season and now after, Dalvin Tomlinson is their largest priority. Some of that likely has to do with his dead money acceleration if his contract voids. On February 23rd he counts for $7.5M in dead money on the cap. If he is resigned prior to that only the $2.5M of his original contracts bonus proration will hit in 2023. So a big date to be aware of.He'd be mine. But I think in order to get the most out of him, you need better players around him.
So keep everyone is the plan?
What fanboy wrote this article?
@"purplefaithful" said: IRV SMITH JR. Irv Smith Jr. was set to be the next highly-touted Vikings tight end after Kyle Rudolph, but Smith hasn’t been able to stay healthy since being a second round pick in 2019. He played in just eight games this season, finishing with 25 catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns. He had a score against the Giants in the playoffs, and it’ll be interesting to see how the offense could look next season with Smith and T.J. Hockenson, if they decide to bring Smith back.
Am I missing something? Why do we keep hearing this? Irv's got a bright future, but he'll be with another team next year. The Vikings would never, could never, sign both TJH and ISJ. What's more, there's a less-than-zero possibility that Irv would pass up a TE1 contract to be a TE2 for the Vikings. It's just not the way free agency works.
@"purplefaithful" said:Really depends on scheme and his market. If the Vikings hire a DC who will predominantly play zone I imagine he should have a spot her given the price is reasonable. If they hire someone line Flores who wants players to play more man-to-man on the outside without help I tend to think it may not be as likely. Funny you mention P2 but his contract expires in mid Feb as well but the dead money is more palatable at only $750K.@"Geoff Nichols" said: From what I've heard during the season and now after, Dalvin Tomlinson is their largest priority. Some of that likely has to do with his dead money acceleration if his contract voids. On February 23rd he counts for $7.5M in dead money on the cap. If he is resigned prior to that only the $2.5M of his original contracts bonus proration will hit in 2023. So a big date to be aware of. What do you think will happen with p2 Geoff? The one on that list I'd like back is Joseph.
@"Geoff Nichols" said:I was thinking the other day that if Harrison Smith is not a Viking next season, it might be worth pulling the ol' Charles Woodsen with Peterson and bringing him back as a safety (depending on scheme). He is not the same coverage player he was, but he can still cover as a center fielder, match up in the slot when needed, and the guy is just so incredibly smart. Food for thought@"purplefaithful" said:Really depends on scheme and his market. If the Vikings hire a DC who will predominantly play zone I imagine he should have a spot her given the price is reasonable. If they hire someone line Flores who wants players to play more man-to-man on the outside without help I tend to think it may not be as likely. Funny you mention P2 but his contract expires in mid Feb as well but the dead money is more palatable at only $750K.@"Geoff Nichols" said: From what I've heard during the season and now after, Dalvin Tomlinson is their largest priority. Some of that likely has to do with his dead money acceleration if his contract voids. On February 23rd he counts for $7.5M in dead money on the cap. If he is resigned prior to that only the $2.5M of his original contracts bonus proration will hit in 2023. So a big date to be aware of. What do you think will happen with p2 Geoff? The one on that list I'd like back is Joseph.
Of this list, I would like Tomlinson, Mullens and Joseph back.
@"supafreak84" said:Safety, don’t they have to be able to tackle…?@"Geoff Nichols" said:I was thinking the other day that if Harrison Smith is not a Viking next season, it might be worth pulling the ol' Charles Woodsen with Peterson and bringing him back as a safety (depending on scheme). He is not the same coverage player he was, but he can still cover as a center fielder, match up in the slot when needed, and the guy is just so incredibly smart. Food for thought@"purplefaithful" said:Really depends on scheme and his market. If the Vikings hire a DC who will predominantly play zone I imagine he should have a spot her given the price is reasonable. If they hire someone line Flores who wants players to play more man-to-man on the outside without help I tend to think it may not be as likely. Funny you mention P2 but his contract expires in mid Feb as well but the dead money is more palatable at only $750K.@"Geoff Nichols" said: From what I've heard during the season and now after, Dalvin Tomlinson is their largest priority. Some of that likely has to do with his dead money acceleration if his contract voids. On February 23rd he counts for $7.5M in dead money on the cap. If he is resigned prior to that only the $2.5M of his original contracts bonus proration will hit in 2023. So a big date to be aware of. What do you think will happen with p2 Geoff? The one on that list I'd like back is Joseph.
@"Kentis" said:Lol, I almost posted the exact same thing@"supafreak84" said:Safety, don’t they have to be able to tackle…?@"Geoff Nichols" said:I was thinking the other day that if Harrison Smith is not a Viking next season, it might be worth pulling the ol' Charles Woodsen with Peterson and bringing him back as a safety (depending on scheme). He is not the same coverage player he was, but he can still cover as a center fielder, match up in the slot when needed, and the guy is just so incredibly smart. Food for thought@"purplefaithful" said:Really depends on scheme and his market. If the Vikings hire a DC who will predominantly play zone I imagine he should have a spot her given the price is reasonable. If they hire someone line Flores who wants players to play more man-to-man on the outside without help I tend to think it may not be as likely. Funny you mention P2 but his contract expires in mid Feb as well but the dead money is more palatable at only $750K.@"Geoff Nichols" said: From what I've heard during the season and now after, Dalvin Tomlinson is their largest priority. Some of that likely has to do with his dead money acceleration if his contract voids. On February 23rd he counts for $7.5M in dead money on the cap. If he is resigned prior to that only the $2.5M of his original contracts bonus proration will hit in 2023. So a big date to be aware of. What do you think will happen with p2 Geoff? The one on that list I'd like back is Joseph.
I've never thought of Peterson as an unwilling tackler
@"supafreak84" said: I've never thought of Peterson as an unwilling tackler
He was getting abused in run support on the edges pretty regularly this past season, I thought. Of course our “D” lost contain on a regular basis too.
@"Kentis" said:@"supafreak84" said: I've never thought of Peterson as an unwilling tacklerHe was getting abused in run support on the edges pretty regularly this past season, I thought. Of course our “D” lost contain on a regular basis too.
I watched every game and never thought Pat P was one of the reasons we were getting abused in the run game, but then again, the entire defense was getting abused so maybe I wasn't paying attention. Trying to nail down the main culprits though is like asking which part of the Pacific ocean is the wettest.
Keep Joseph and Tomlinson.
Everybody else plus Cook, Kendricks, Harry and Thielen: Bye.
It's gonna hurt but it has to happen.
The defense sucked this year. It sucked last year. Would some big changes really make a negative difference?
@"RS Express" said: Keep Joseph and Tomlinson.Everybody else plus Cook, Kendricks, Harry and Thielen: Bye.
It's gonna hurt but it has to happen.
Ya know what? I don't even think it would hurt much. Kendricks was awful this year. Thielen wasn't much better. Harry is still playing fairly well and I would try to re-work his deal to cover for the Cine uncertainty, but Cine was drafted to replace Harry. Metellus has played well in spot duty.
Cook is the only young, impactful player on that list who's still playing well. But even there, the savings, and what you could do with it, is more tantalizing than the player.
@"MaroonBells" said:Or, with only 4 draft picks, is there trade value with Dalvin?@"RS Express" said: Keep Joseph and Tomlinson.Everybody else plus Cook, Kendricks, Harry and Thielen: Bye.
It's gonna hurt but it has to happen.
Ya know what? I don't even think it would hurt much. Kendricks was awful this year. Thielen wasn't much better. Harry is still playing fairly well and I would try to re-work his deal to cover for the Cine uncertainty, but Cine was drafted to replace Harry. Metellus has played well in spot duty.Cook is the only young, impactful player on that list who's still playing well. But even there, the savings, and what you could do with it, is more tantalizing than the player.
For a starter that could upgrade the D or a WR2 who can stretch the field.
Re-sign Mattison and then you have him and the rook as the top 2 tailbacks going into camp.
If this team goes back to the 4-3, wouldn't a Tomlinson + Phillips middle be a strong duo especially on run D? I know that Hunter would be in a better position as well.
We would need to find another DE to compete with Pat Jones II. Wonnum to me is a meh player at best. Move on from Z and use that money for #51 from SF, love the potential speed of him and Asomoah in the LB group
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