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As we head into the off season, new coach Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman will be looking to re-shape the roster, and get the Vikings back into contention in the NFL. Below is a chart I've taken from Rotoworld that has every Vikings currently on the roster in whatever capacity, (active, reserve/injured. reserve/future, etc) and what their contract status is for 2014 and beyond. Guys I've lined through are players I don't think will be back, for a couple reasons I'll explain after the chart. And keep in mind, these roster adjustments are just based on contract status, not necessarily guys I think will or won't make the final 53 man roster, which is why I haven't lined through any of the guys that are on reserve/futures contracts. Okay? Okay.
Take a look at the chart, and then we'll discuss below:
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Player |
Position |
Contract Status |
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Cullen Loeffler |
Center |
2014: $1.135 million, 2015: Free Agent |
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John Sullivan |
Center |
2014: $3.65 million, 2015-2016: $4.65 million, 2017: Free Agent |
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Brandan Bishop |
Defensive Back |
12/30/2013: Signed a reserve/future contract. |
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Chris Cook |
Defensive Back |
2014: Free Agent |
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Kip Edwards |
Defensive Back |
12/30/2013: Signed a reserve/future contract. |
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Shaun Prater |
Defensive Back |
2014: $570,000, 2015: $660,000, 2016: Free Agent |
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Xavier Rhodes |
Defensive Back |
2014: $759,841, 2015: $1,114,682, 2016: $979,523 (+ $390,000 roster bonus + $100,000 workout bonus), 2017: Free Agent |
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Josh Robinson |
Defensive Back |
2014: $627,000, 2015: $766,000, 2016: Free Agent |
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Jamarca Sanford |
Defensive Back |
2014: $2.45 million, 2015: Free Agent |
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Andrew Sendejo |
Defensive Back |
2014: $750,000, 2015: $950,000, 2016: Free Agent |
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Harrison Smith |
Defensive Back |
2014: $1,038,958, 2015: $1,363,437, 2016: Free Agent |
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Chase Baker |
Defensive Lineman |
2014: $495,000, 2015: Exclusive Rights Free Agent |
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Sharrif Floyd |
Defensive Lineman |
2014: $772,100, 2015: $1,139,200, 2016: $941,300 (+ $465,000 roster bonus + $100,000 workout bonus), 2017: Free Agent |
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Everson Griffen |
Defensive Lineman |
2014: Free Agent |
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Spencer Nealy |
Defensive Lineman |
12/30/2013: Signed a reserve/future contract. |
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Brian Robison |
Defensive Lineman |
2014: $4 million, 2015: $4.15 million, 2016: $3.75 million, 2017: $5.3 million, 2018: Free Agent |
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Kevin Williams |
Defensive Lineman |
2014: Free Agent |
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Jeff Baca |
Guard |
2014: $495,000, 2015: $585,000, 2016: $675,000, 2017: Free Agent |
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Brandon Fusco |
Guard |
2014: $645,000, 2015: Free Agent |
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Josh Samuda |
Guard |
1/3/2014: Signed a reserve/future contract. |
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Audie Cole |
Linebacker |
2014: $570,000, 2015: $660,000, 2016: Free Agent |
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Larry Dean |
Linebacker |
2014: Restricted Free Agent |
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Gerald Hodges |
Linebacker |
2014: $495,000, 2015: $585,000, 2016: $675,000, 2017: Free Agent |
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Michael Mauti |
Linebacker |
2014: $495,000, 2015: $585,000, 2016: $675,000, 2017: Free Agent |
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Blair Walsh |
Place Kicker |
2014: $570,000, 2015: $660,000, 2016: Free Agent |
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Jeff Locke |
Punter |
2014: $495,000, 2015: $585,000, 2016: $675,000, 2017: Free Agent |
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Matt Cassel |
Quarterback |
2014: $3.15 million (Player Option), 2015: Free Agent |
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Joe Banyard |
Running Back |
2014: $495,000, 2015: Exclusive Rights Free Agent |
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Adrian Peterson |
Running Back |
2014: $11.75 million, 2015: $12.75 million, 2016: $14.75 million, 2017: $16.75 million, 2018: Free Agent |
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Bradley Randle Zach Line |
Running Back Running Back |
12/30/2013: Signed a reserve/future contract. 2014: $495,000, 2015: $585,000, 2016: Restricted Free Agent |
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Matt Kalil |
Tackle |
2014: $2,187,326, 2015: $3,085,989, 2016: Free Agent |
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Phil Loadholt |
Tackle |
2014: $3.4 million (+ $500,000 roster bonus), 2015: $4.4 million (+ $500,000 roster bonus), 2015: $5.4 million (+ $500,000 roster bonus), 2016: Free Agent |
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Kevin Murphy |
Tackle |
12/30/2013: Signed a reserve/future contract. |
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Mike Remmers |
Tackle |
2014: $495,000, 2015: Exclusive Rights Free Agent |
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Rhett Ellison |
Tight End |
5/22/2012: Signed a four-year, $2.4 million contract. The deal included a $300,584 signing bonus. 2014: $570,000, 2015: $660,000, 2016: Free Agent |
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Chase Ford |
Tight End |
1/7/2013: Signed a two-year, $900,000 contract. 2014: $495,000, 2015: Exclusive Rights Free Agent |
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Kyle Rudolph |
Tight End |
7/30/2011: Signed a four-year, $3,907,164 contract. The deal included a $1,867,164 signing bonus. 2014: $956,343, 2015: Free Agent |
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Greg Childs |
Wide Receiver |
2014: $570,000, 2015: $660,000, 2016: Free Agent |
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Greg Jennings |
Wide Receiver |
2014: $4.9 million, 2015-2017: $8.9 million, 2018: Free Agent |
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Kamar Jorden |
Wide Receiver |
1/3/2014: Signed a reserve/future contract. |
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Cordarrelle Patterson |
Wide Receiver |
2014: $733,229, 2015: $1,061,458, 2016: $1,009,687 (+ $280,000 roster bonus + $100,000 workout bonus), 2017: Free Agent |
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Adam Thielen |
Wide Receiver |
12/30/2013: Signed a reserve/future contract. |
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Centers: I like Joe Berger, because he has played well as a backup at a few positions for the Vikings. Because of that, I'm betting he will get a bigger offer from another team. Sullivan is a no-brainer, and as of right now I'm keeping Loeffler, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Vikings draft someone to be the long snapper for a lot less than the $1 million plus salary Loeffler will be pulling down in 2014.
Defensive Backs: Blanton, Raymond, and Sherels are the guys here that won't be back. Blanton really hasn't shown anything at all, after wining a starting job in 2011, Raymond got hurt and hasn't been the same. For Marcus Sherels, as a restricted rights free agent, it will be interesting to see what kind of qualifying offer the Vikings will give, whether or not Sherels gets any offers based on the qualifying offer, and whether or not he Vikings will match. I'm also thinking that Chris Cook is a guy Mike Zimmer will want to keep and try and turn into a quality starter.
Defensive Linemen: With his age and what he'll be wanting to get paid, I don't see Jared Allen returning. But I can see a scenario where Kevin Williams comes back, because I really don't see Evans or Guion being retained. I do see the Vikings getting a deal done with Everson Griffen, though. With Allen not coming back, getting a new deal done with Griffen is probably Rick spielman's number one off-season priority right now. Rotoworld has Ballard still under contract, and I can't find anything on his status other than the Vikings designation of 'reserve/left squad'. I'm assuming his contract is treated the same as a retired player--his salary doesn't count against the cap, and he won't be counted on the final roster anymore.
Guard: I just don't see Charlie Johnson back based on his sub par play in 2013, and with a salary of only $855,000 in 2014, he would be a pretty minimal cap hit.
Linebacker: I don't think anyone will be surprised if Mitchell, Henderson, and Bishop don't come back. The big move I have here is Greenway. I actually think Greenway will be back, I just don't think it will be for $6.4 million. With his declining performance and age, I think a re-structure request by the Vikings is almost guaranteed.
Punter/Kicker: No changes.
Quarterback: I'll be stunned if Freeman comes back, and almost as surprised if Ponder comes back. But Ponder's cap hit would be over $3 million dollars, so from a pure contract perspective, I can see him coming back. I would think the Vikings would prefer trading him to avoid the cap hit, but what do they do if he can't? Assuming Cassel comes back, which I think he will, a $3.15 million salary is pretty reasonable for a starter, and Ponder's $1.7 million isn't bad for a #2 guy. Why do I think Cassel comes back? For one, he has a legitimate shot to be the #1 guy in 2014, I don't think he would command that kind of salary as a free agent, and a Norv Turner offense would be very enticing for a quarterback. We'll see.
Running Back: Asiata's status reminds me in a lot of ways about Sherels. As an exclusive rights free agent, the Vikings hold all the cards, and based on what his qualifying offer is, and what teams are interested, I can very easily see a scenaripo where he doesn't come back. As for Gerhart, I think he's been a solid backup, but he can start (or at least get a lot more carries as a platoon guy), and someone will give him a good offer that will be too rich for the Vikings to bring him back as a backup.
Tackle: I really don't see any major contract issues at tackle. No changes here.
Tight End: With Carlson's upcoming salary and injury history, I don't see the Vikings keeping him. He'll have a $5 million cap hit in 2014.
Wide Receiver: With Patterson emerging late in the year, Simpson becomes expendable, and I would be mildly surprised if the Vikings bring him back. Of course, I was surprised when they brought him back in 2013, too. Childs' status is interesting, and how he rehabs from his injury this off-season will determine whether or not he comes back. I hope he does. And yeah, I think the Joe Webb era has ended...long live the Joe Webb era.