Report: Vikings approach Riley Reiff about restructuring contract

The trade for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue might not be the only significant move that the Minnesota Vikings make before rosters need to be trimmed to 55 this Saturday.

Chad Graff of The Athletic is reporting that the Vikings approached left tackle Riley Reiff about potentially restructuring his contract. If Reiff refuses to do so, the Vikings could end up releasing him to free up over $8 million in cap space.

Prior to the Ngakoue trade, the Vikings had about $12.2 million left under the cap. With the team agreeing to restructure Ngakoue’s deal so that he makes $12 million this season, they don’t have enough room under the cap to function in the event of injuries or other issues that might arise during the season, so something is going to have to be done somewhere.

It’s worth noting that, at Sunday’s final practice of Training Camp, Brian O’Neill was taking the first-string snaps at left tackle and Oli Udoh was the first-team right tackle while Reiff was getting a “veteran rest day.” Perhaps that’s the contingency plan in the event that the Vikings do decide that Reiff is a player they can no longer afford to keep.

It’s also worth noting that second-round pick Ezra Cleveland, who started every game for four years at left tackle for Boise State, has reportedly not played a single snap at either tackle spot during Training Camp this preseason, working in at the guard spots instead. So, it doesn’t appear that he would be an option at tackle if Reiff was let go.

This is a situation that will obviously need to be monitored, and once more news arises. . .if it arises. . .we will bring it to you here.