Minnesota Vikings: 3 Offseason moves to return to playoffs next season
3. Part ways with Rhodes
Xavier Rhodes, who concluded his seventh season in the NFL and with Minnesota in 2019, took somewhat of a step back throughout the year while often being tasked with the challenge of shutting down an opposing team’s top wide receiver week-in and week-out.
Often times throughout the regular season mainly, Rhodes had a tough time shutting down opposing wideouts while letting up large chunk plays to opponents that ultimately shifted momentum in the wrong direction for the Vikings.
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Rhodes did — somehow — surprisingly earn his third Pro Bowl selection this year to add to his previous selections in both 2016 and 2017, but many viewed his performance throughout the 2019 campaign as below-than-average and there was often talk about the veteran cornerback taking a step back in his performance.
That recipe could persuade the organization to not wanting to commit to Rhodes long term while Minnesota might be forced to make some key subtractions within its roster ahead of the 2020 season.
The 2019 season marked the third year of Rhodes’ current six-year, $78 million deal that he signed with the Vikings back in 2017, with the cornerback earning a little over $14 million a season on average throughout the course of that contract.
If Minnesota is able to find a willing trade partner, it might be smart to make the move away from Rhodes and take a chance on a player such as Anthony Harris, who is set to be a free agent this offseason.
The 2019 campaign was somewhat eye-opening when it comes to the performance of Rhodes and the somewhat step back he displayed during the course of the year.
That should result in the Vikings looking to shed his expensive contract if possible this offseason and ultimately move in another direction at their top cornerback position.