If Diggs and Cousins click, Diggs will command an even more lucrative contract
Stefon Diggs’ most recent catch in an NFL game in Minnesota — the one that led to perhaps the most indelible moment in Vikings history — again figures to be splashed across highlight reels if Diggs eventually signs a long-term deal to keep him with the team beyond this season.
Catches like the one Diggs made Wednesday, and the relationship he’s forging with the man who threw the pass, might ultimately determine whether he gets that deal.
Kirk Cousins — the Vikings’ fifth starting quarterback since Diggs arrived in Minnesota in 2015 — unleashed a deep throw during practice. Diggs streaked down the middle of the field, tracking the ball over his shoulder for the play of the day during the Vikings’ second organized team activity of the offseason.
For all of Diggs’ production during his first three years in Minnesota — and all the fame he gained from his improbable 61-yard, game-winning touchdown in the Vikings’ NFC divisional playoff victory over the Saints — the numbers he produces in a contract year likely will be determined by how he clicks with Cousins.
That’s not a new challenge for the 24-year-old, who’s caught at least 50 career passes from Sam Bradford, Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater, and Diggs got a head start on the process when he and Adam Thielen spent time with Cousins this offseason in Atlanta.
Now that the Vikings can work in 11-on-11 situations during OTAs, their practice time takes on another layer of importance for the receiver.
http://www.startribune.com/if-stefon-diggs-and-kirk-cousins-click-diggs-will-command-an-even-more-lucrative-contract/483499091/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I think it should be fairly obvious that teams prioritize pass rushers over wide receivers.
The Vikings could keep Barr, Hunter, Diggs, Waynes, Hunter, and give Thielen a raise if they can reach agreement on the extension amounts.
Here is a quick summary of the current cap situation for 2019 and some proposed extensions.
Right now they have Rhodes, Smith, Griffen, Joseph, Barr, &
Kendricks making top dollar with Waynes, Hunter, and Richardson
(hopefully) set to join them.
In 2019, on defense we have these cap hits …
Rhodes – $13,400,000
Smith – $10,750,000
Griffen – $11,900,000
Joseph – $10,700,000
Kendricks – $6,600,000
Waynes – $9,069,000
Sendejo – $5,500,000
Total – $67,919,000
If they give Barr a 5 yr 50 mil deal with a 10 mil signing bonus and a 4 mil first year salary his cap hit would be $6,000,000.
If they give Richardson a 4 yr 48 mil deal with a 8 mil signing bonus
and a 4 mil first year salary his cap hit would be $6,000,000.
If they give Hunter a 5 yr 75 mil deal with a 25 mil signing bonus and a 2 mil first year salary his cap hit would be $7,000,000.
That would be $86,919,000 for 10 defensive players.
On offense you have these players under contract in 2019 …
Cousins - $29,000,000
Thielen - $5,000,000
Rudolph - $7,625,000
Treadwell – $3,161,132
Reiff – $11,700,000
Remmers - $6,350,000
Total – $62,836,132
If they give Diggs a 5 yr 65 mil deal with a 20 mil signing bonus and a 4 mil first year salary his cap hit would be $6,000,000.
If they give Thielen a 4 yr 56 mil new deal with a 16 mil signing bonus
and a 4.35 mil first year salary his cap hit would be an extra
$6,500,000.
That would be $75,336,132 for 7 offensive players.
That would be $162,255,132 for 18 players.
If the cap in 2019 is going to be 190 mil then they would have 27.7 mil left for the other 35 players. That is not counting the 18 mil that they have available right now according to spotrac. After doing these deals with these amounts at the end of the season and carrying over the 18 mil they would have 45 mil left in 2019.
In 2020, I expect the team to look at Griffen, Joseph, Reiff, and Remmers for restructures which would free up some cap space.Obviously, the contract structures will be different as I cannot hold Brez's jock.
The Vikings can sign their current players although it will take some cap
gymnastics and some players may need to redo their deals like Rudolph,
Sendejo, Griffen, Joseph, Reiff, and Remmers.
It’s doable. The only question is the amount of the new deals.
Negotiating what the team thinks is fair and what the player thinks is
fair will be the determining factor IMHO.
The math can make sense...That's a good run-down MarkSP18. ITs what other teams are willing to offer and the players desire to stay here or not that doesnt fit the math all the time as you point out.
My fear with Barr is someone will pay him dearly for a pass rush type of player that makes big splashes. He's asked to do so much more here.
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