How Much Salary Can The Vikings Spend

by lifelongvike on Mar 19, 2010 1:59 PM CDT

In trying to understand the Vikings draft and Free agency strategy I thought it might be good idea to see where they are on salary. I suspect that one of the goals is to make sure the team is financially sound now and in the future. Yes, there is no cap but the Vikings are a little more limited in cash flow since their stadium produces less revenue than almost every other team. But last year they met the cap limit after pro rated bonus's were paid.. There is no reason to believe their revenue will be lower this year. In fact the arbitrator ruled that the owners revenue sharing will exist next year, so the10 Million revenue sharing dollars will come into the coffers for this years salaries and next. It is good to remember that that money won't come to the Vikings after 2011. More after the jump

The 2009 salary cap was $ 127,000,000 ( This includes prior pro-rated pre paid bonus's)

So far the 2010 Viking payroll totals $99,000,000

source ( http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/minnesota-vikings/salary/67053 )

The draft choices in the first 4 rounds should cost about 5.5 Million

The free agent payrolls lost ( CT and Hicks) is 4 Million

Free Agent additions= none to speak of.

Total 2010 salary = $100,000,000 if no other changes occur

2011 salary changes expected

Sidney Rice=New contract

AP= new Contract

QB= New QB contract

Ray Edwards = new contract.

Farve= retired ( or is that in 2020)

As you can see the Vikings are in good shape going into the uncapped year. They have lost little talent. They can afford the increases that are going to happen in the future and their is enough room for them to add a Franchise QB if one is found. If they spend that extra money this year it could cause issues next year.

Now aren't you glad they didn't run out and sign a bunch of Overpriced free agents? I am

This also indicates the savings most teams will have this year. Lowering labor costs will be a hard sell in 2011.

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.

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Comments

I hear you,

However, I think this year (as it might well be the last for Favre (12 million) and Pat (4 million) that we should resign AD, Greenway and Rice. We should offer them all solid salaries with large up front money, low money for the next three years and maybe escalation after that. I think this would put us in a great position when the cap comes back as we’ll be taking our largest hit in the uncapped year.
I think all three of these players would be well signed to long term deals as all of them are or will be probowlers for us.

Really that’s the only thing I really think we need to do this off season (other than drafting well that is.)

It's a lot easier to love the Vikings when they win...

by Grime on Mar 19, 2010 2:15 PM CDT reply actions

I would like to see Ray resigned as well as all the others you mentioned. We are in good shape for that, financially.

The problem that could bite any team that front loads any new contracts will be a new CBA that institutes a new cap and counts those bonus payments. Most teams are pretending that the old rules apply, figuring that any new rules will be no more onerous than the old rules.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 19, 2010 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I like all of you're ideas

Except the idea of giving Adrian more money in 4 years. At that point in his career I’m not expecting the same kind of production that would net him as much and or more money than he will be earning next year.

I love Twins Baseball and Minnesota Vikings Football.

by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Mar 19, 2010 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I will gladly give a 26 year old RB

in the prime of his career, that has been used normally, not heavily, a contract larger than his first. Of course if this year shows diminishing skills I would reevaluate. But he isn’t close to age 30.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 19, 2010 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Do those totals include the Sapp and Kennedy signings? You say no free agents, but they have spent a little money and on players they needed to re-sign. Both great “FA” signings in my book.

by Josh_D on Mar 19, 2010 6:26 PM CDT reply actions

No, thanks for reminding me. Kennedy signed for 3 M I think and Sapp signed for 2 Mil. That makes the total 105 Million for the year. Still in fine shape.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Mar 20, 2010 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions