Vikings Anticipating Discipline For Michael Floyd

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings signed wide receiver Michael Floyd. They were aware that the St. Paul native had been arrested for “extreme DUI” during the 2016 season, and in a statement that was released following his signing with the team, they certainly made it sound like they were expecting some sort of disciplinary action to come down from the league as a result.

Here is the statement made by Vikings’ GM Rick Spielman following the signing:

Coach Zimmer and I are confident Michael Floyd has learned and grown from his past decisions. He has accepted full responsibility and is taking encouraging steps to improve. We have offered Michael the full support and assistance of the Minnesota Vikings organization and our player development programs. We are aware that Michael is subject to discipline from the NFL and will work with both him and the NFL in a professional manner. We are excited to have Michael and believe he can be a productive member of our football team and community.

So, the team is expecting something to come down and, with this being the Vikings, we actually have some precedent for what we could potentially expect.

In 2011, when he was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, wide receiver Jerome Simpson said to himself, “You know, I think it would be pretty awesome if I could get marijuana delivered to me via FedEx.” Police in Kentucky disagreed with his assessment of just how awesome that would be, and in 2012 Simpson was found guilty of trafficking. He did 15 days in jail and had to pay various fines. Following his signing with the Vikings during that 2012 offseason, he was suspended for the first three games of the 2012 season.

(As a result of the arrest. . .not as a result of signing with the Vikings. Just so we’re clear.)

Then, during the 2012 offseason, then-fullback Jerome Felton was charged with DUI when police found him passed out in his car in the drive-thru of an Eden Prairie McDonald’s. He wound up pleading guilty to a lesser charge, but because he was a multiple-time offender of the NFL’s substance policy, the NFL handed him a three-game suspension as well.

At this point, we don’t know what the punishment. . .if any. . .for Michael Floyd will be from the National Football League. But, if the past is any indicator, it wouldn’t be a total shock if he missed the first three games of the season, with the Vikings having him back for their Week 4 matchup against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.