Minnesota Vikings: Questions loom around free agency, offseason
By Joe Kipp
The Minnesota Vikings may be without some key playmakers in 2019. Many questions loom regarding several free agents this offseason.
The Minnesota Vikings finished the 2018 regular season at 8-7-1, ending the most disappointing season in recent memory. Originally touted as a Super Bowl-or-bust campaign by many, the Vikings now enter the offseason with more questions than answers.
At the top of the Vikings’ agenda is deciding who to re-sign for the 2019 season. Minnesota has 13 players set to become unrestricted free agents, three of which were key contributors in 2018. Sheldon Richardson, Latavius Murray and Anthony Barr will all be free to walk this offseason.
The chances of each returning are extremely thin, as well. Not only are the Vikings expected to have less than $8 million in cap space in 2019 (per Spotrac), but they have eight players scheduled to make $10 million or more. Kirk Cousins alone will command a $29 million cap hit.
Below is a full list of Minnesota’s unrestricted free agents:
- QB Trevor Siemian
- RB Ameer Abdullah
- RB Latavius Murray
- OG Nick Easton
- OG Tom Compton
- C Brett Jones
- DT Sheldon Richardson
- DT Tom Johnson
- OLB Anthony Barr
- CB Marcus Sherels
- S George Iloka
- K Dan Bailey
Barr, 26, is a four-time Pro Bowler entering the prime of his career. One of the most athletic players at the linebacker position, Barr flashes the ability to cover in space, rush the passer and stop the run. He finished the 2018 season with 55 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and two passes defensed.
Meanwhile, Richardson is a 28-year old defensive tackle coming off a one-year prove-it deal and looking to cash in after an impressive year with the Vikes. He finished the year with 50 tackles, 4.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits.
Both Barr and Richardson will likely be out of the Vikings’ price range. Murray, on the other hand, won’t command too much of a price hike given the running back market, but still probably won’t be re-signed.
Murray expressed his frustration regarding playing time earlier this week. “I want to play. I want to start. I’m not content with being in a backup role,” he told the Star Tribune. Murray turns 29 in just a few weeks and finished with the lowest amount of carries since his rookie season.
Obviously, losing all three of these players would be detrimental to Minnesota’s overall success.
Barr has been a key cog on defense since being drafted ninth-overall in 2014, while Murray filled-in admirably during Dalvin Cook’s absence in the middle of the season. Richardson was a huge reason Minnesota finished fourth in total defense (309.7 yards per game).
Finding replacements for each player won’t be easy, but the Vikings have a few players already in the works. Defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson has flashed potential in limited work and will likely take on a larger role next season.
Linebacker Eric Wilson, a second-year player and former undrafted free agent, showed the ability to take on more work this season, as well, playing in all 16 games and starting in four. Wilson played his most snaps on defense in Week 16 and 17, filling in for Eric Kendricks (hamstring). He finished with a combined 18 tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and one sack.
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The Vikings will need these players and others to step up in 2019. It remains to be seen who will be released, have their contract restructured or re-signed, but for now, general manager Rick Spielman will need to have another signature draft to help re-tool the holes left by Minnesota’s departed.