{"id":58468,"date":"2019-02-16T17:00:31","date_gmt":"2019-02-16T22:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=58468"},"modified":"2019-02-16T17:00:31","modified_gmt":"2019-02-16T22:00:31","slug":"minnesota-vikings-off-season-retooling-roster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/02\/16\/minnesota-vikings-off-season-retooling-roster\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Vikings Off-Season: How to Retool the Roster"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Minnesota Vikings<\/a> had a very underwhelming 2018 season. Now, they are face-to-face with contract issues that may hold them back from making a run in the future. The team is in the midst of their Super Bowl window. Here is how the Vikings can make the most of their off-season.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings Off-Season: Retooling the Roster for Success<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Cap Casualties<\/h2>\n

The Vikings enter the 2019 off-season with roughly $5.823 million in cap space. In order to clear up some space, they are likely to cut a few veterans. The most likely candidate to be released is safety Andrew Sendejo<\/strong><\/a>. Cutting Sendejo would free up nearly $5.5 million, and Anthony Harris<\/a><\/strong> could take over the reins as the starting safety.<\/p>\n

Next up is Mike Remmers<\/a><\/strong>. The Vikings have their fair share of struggles along the offensive line. Still, the team could look to move on from Remmers, who will be 30 years old by the time the new season rolls around. The Vikings already have a couple young pieces in place on the line that makes this move easier. Brian O\u2019Neill<\/a><\/strong> and Pat Elflein<\/a><\/strong> seem to be the anchors moving forward. Releasing Remmers would free up about $5.75 million as the team prepares for the draft.<\/p>\n

One shocking move still remains. Everson Griffen<\/a><\/strong> being let go would free up an additional $11 million in space. The Vikings already have their star pass rusher of the future. Moving on from Griffen would be an easy transition into the new era.<\/p>\n

Other Negotiations<\/h2>\n

The Vikings may also look to restructure offensive tackle\u00a0Riley Reiff<\/a><\/strong>. Reiff is set to make $9.4 million in 2019, but restructuring his deal would save the Vikings another $5.7 million. This would keep Reiff under contract and give Minnesota a veteran talent along the offensive line.<\/p>\n

The big question will come down to wide receiver\u00a0Laquon Treadwell<\/a><\/strong>. Cutting the former first-round pick won\u2019t do Minnesota many favors. However, trading Treadwell would likely net the Vikings a late-round draft pick in return and save about $500k in cap.<\/p>\n

After all of these moves, the Vikings are looking at $34.2 million in cap heading into free agency.<\/p>\n

What’s Next?<\/h2>\n

Upcoming free agent Anthony Barr<\/a><\/strong> is going to demand a lot of money on his next contract. The Vikings must let him walk and find a replacement elsewhere. Barr is a great talent, but his cost will be too high to build a quality roster around in the off-season.<\/p>\n

Sheldon Richardson<\/a><\/strong> had a stellar season in 2018, but he didn\u2019t show up on the stat sheet. He was a dominant force up front for the Vikings, and he\u2019s deserved another shot with the team. Richardson could strike a deal to stay in Minneapolis, something short but valuable. Realistically, Richardson would sign for two years and $19-21 million, with most of that guaranteed.<\/p>\n

Kwon Alexander<\/a><\/strong> would be a nice replacement for Barr, and he could be picked up on the cheap. After an ACL injury in 2018, Alexander is set to hit the open market. A deal for him would likely fall in the three-year, $4.5 million range with $3 million guaranteed.<\/p>\n

\n

Kwon Alexander is a top 10 free agent IMO – if he comes back healthy his recognition and speed is a game changer pic.twitter.com\/2NTHGpsGTK<\/a><\/p>\n

— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) February 11, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n