With four games left in the regular season and a playoff position for the Vikings very much up in the air, there are only limited opportunities left for players to put good tape out there. It’s the time of year when every team has a few guys playing for their futures with their current organization. The Vikings certainly have their share of guys that are playing for their jobs in Minnesota or at minimum looking to put good things on tape for another team to take a chance on them. Let’s look at the Vikings on the hot seat to return next season who still have time to boost their status.
Vikings on the Hot Seat
Lewis Cine
Lewis Cine’s career could not have started much worse for the Vikings 2022 first-round pick out of Georgia. When safeties are drafted as high as Cine was, the expectation is that they can have an early impact. Saying that he’s failed to do so would be an understatement. Cine was expected to win a job opposite Harrison Smith as a rookie but was beaten out by incumbent Camryn Bynum. Cine then proceeded to break his leg making a tackle on a kickoff, effectively ending his season.
If year one was bad, year two has been even worse for Cine. He once again got beaten out by Bynum, who in fairness, has blossomed into a potential All-Pro this season. Not only that but he got leapfrogged by long-time special teams ace Josh Metellus during camp as well. Maybe the most troubling aspect of Cine’s season is that they aren’t even using him on special teams. At this point, it might be unfair to even suggest Cine could have an opportunity to change his bust status. However, if he doesn’t manage to prove he can make some sort of impact in these last few games, he’s almost guaranteed to be cut after the season, even with two fully guaranteed years left on his deal.
K.J. Osborn
Prior to the Vikings drafting Jordan Addison in the first round, it was widely expected that K.J. Osborn would be given the opportunity to step into the departed Adam Thielen’s role opposite Justin Jefferson. Osborn had shown tremendous improvement since his rookie year and was already starting to pass Thielen in the pecking order. As a pending free agent this offseason Osborn has not been able to maintain that trajectory in 2023.
Osborn’s step back, coinciding with the Vikings drafting Addison, could spell the end for Osborn in Minnesota. The Vikings are going to make paying Justin Jefferson a priority in the offseason. It’s highly unlikely that Osborn has played well enough to this point to warrant the Vikings paying a second receiver. For that to change, Osborn is going to have to play a lot better down the stretch. Even if it’s not with the Vikings, a good finish could get him paid somewhere this offseason.
Dean Lowry
Lowry was an anchor as a 3-4 defensive end for years in Green Bay. He was expected to come in and be that same complement to fellow end Harrison Phillips. That just hasn’t been the case this season in Minnesota. Through Week 7, Lowry was in on a total of 9 tackles and logged 0 sacks. PFF also has him rated as one of the worst defensive linemen in the NFL. He proceeded to get a pectoral injury and has been on short-term IR since. He should be able to come back and get another shot at game action over the last few weeks.
On Lowry’s side is some built-in leverage, as a lot of his two-year deal signed this offseason was guaranteed. However, his lack of impact to date may make him expendable even for roughly $1M in savings. Lowry will likely need a few splash plays and to anchor better against the run to avoid that fate.
Jordan Hicks
Hicks, like Osborn, is another player on an expiring contract. His inclusion here has much less to do with his performance this year than it does with Ivan Pace’s ascent. Hicks had been calling the defense up until his recent shin injury that required a short stint on IR. Since Pace has taken over for Hicks post-injury, the defense has found another level. They’re also fresh off a shutout of the Raiders where Pace was a Defensive Player of the Week nominee.
That’s not to say that Hicks couldn’t be an asset next to Pace. However, Pace’s recent play likely makes Hicks expendable in the front office’s eyes. The Vikings will have limited cap space and will be prioritizing quarterback and a Jefferson extension this offseason. If Hicks wants to come back to Minnesota next year on another short deal, he’ll likely need to take a pay cut. Hicks will also likely have to cede play-calling duties to Pace, and that could be an adjustment for him. He’ll have limited opportunities to show what that could look like this season with so few games remaining. Hopefully, Hicks is able to miss the minimum number of games to give himself that opportunity.
Main Photo: [Bob Donnan] – USA Today Sports
