Vikings 2021 Offseason Thread

[bleedspeed]

Yikes

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1371499404285390849?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

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More Hunter Drama and I am not talking about Hunter Biden either.

https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/danielle-hunter-takes-page-out-of-diggs-social-media-playbook-after-spielman-plays-coy-minnesota-vikings/?fbclid=IwAR3_q79OpH_4fRzhyCO5rYjtX-CaclOcjnOBvG1a2BAXdfKUxMXeAbGXzGc

Well it seems likely something is going on. What? Idk

My stance is similar to what it's been for a few years and the same as it was for Diggs...if the Vikings trade another fairly young talented player it's because they basically had to and got a good return for them as well. I don't want to trade hunter but the return for him might be something equivalent to two first round picks (maybe more) and some cap saving going forward. Imagine the cap situation the Vikings would be in right now if they were still paying Diggs to be on the roster. Yes the draft picks the Vikings get could turn out to be duds or just the next Trey Waynes solid type guys but valuable players but again some legit cap space for a couple years is a lot of value too. One thing Spielman has been able to do is get value for young talented players. I feel confident in the initial return received back if Hunter is dealt.

Ultimately I haven't done enough research into this draft to get super excited about having more picks this year to make but there are a lot of directions they could go to fill holes. I could also see them receiving a conditional 2022 pick that turns into a 1st round pick if Hunter makes the pro bowl has 12+ sacks or whatever.

Trading Hunter which would open up some cap space might make it easier to keep Barr which might not inspire great rejoicing from Vikings fans but it would keep a likely pretty good player on the roster and at a spot where they really need someone.

I agree. I think the way to rebuild in NFL is to get a ton of picks and build up a good amount of cap space. if things go well you draft right and then use that draft capital to front-load extensions on those players well having some flexibility to add pieces. If Hunter wants out it is hard to keep a guy in the locker room. How many teams win when they have a leader that wants out?

[bleedspeed]

Barr has restructured.

https://kfan.iheart.com/featured/vikings-blog/content/2021-03-15-report-vikings-anthony-barr-agree-on-restructured-contract/?pname=local_social&sc=editorial&keyid=KFXN&fbclid=IwAR0JPAWwBVYrnMCsUaQCn6XHXnz1pWBdPTh2I-kAAltOZ2fH9iV-950wFqM

[Monster]

Yikes

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1371499404285390849?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Zeitler got 3 years 22 million. How desperate are the Panthers? They really like their former Vikings.

[Monster]

Barr has restructured.

https://kfan.iheart.com/featured/vikings-blog/content/2021-03-15-report-vikings-anthony-barr-agree-on-restructured-contract/?pname=local_social&sc=editorial&keyid=KFXN&fbclid=IwAR0JPAWwBVYrnMCsUaQCn6XHXnz1pWBdPTh2I-kAAltOZ2fH9iV-950wFqM

I really like what they were able to do here. Basically they are saving almost 3 million in cap space this year for Barr to be able to be a FA next year...when they may have had to make another tough decision on him anyway. I'd assume his signing bonus will still be dead money if he leaves in 2022 but that basically means if he does leave they will end up basically paying him about 15 million this season (10 million this year and 5.2 in dead cap in 2022 from the signing bonus) while having him on the roster for this season. If they had kept him that's basically what they would have paid him this year and still had that dead cap next season. If Healthy my guess is Barr is worth 7-8 million in salary this year (difference between being cut and that total money if he leaves) and probably even more valuable to the Vikings since he knows the system and they don't have any clear option at LB etc. Now they can develop and draft a guy. They don't have to draft a LB high this year but they certainly might.

I just simply like how they kept a good player, saved some cap space this year and really didn't kick the can too much beyond this season. I'm impressed and honestly while I get what Barr is looking to do...I don't think it's going to work out super well for him financially...but it may not have if he had gotten cut this year too. I have no idea what the FA this ear is going to be like...Barr may not have liked that uncertainty either which is partly why he took this deal.

[Monster]

More Hunter Drama and I am not talking about Hunter Biden either.

https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/danielle-hunter-takes-page-out-of-diggs-social-media-playbook-after-spielman-plays-coy-minnesota-vikings/?fbclid=IwAR3_q79OpH_4fRzhyCO5rYjtX-CaclOcjnOBvG1a2BAXdfKUxMXeAbGXzGc

Well it seems likely something is going on. What? Idk

My stance is similar to what it's been for a few years and the same as it was for Diggs...if the Vikings trade another fairly young talented player it's because they basically had to and got a good return for them as well. I don't want to trade hunter but the return for him might be something equivalent to two first round picks (maybe more) and some cap saving going forward. Imagine the cap situation the Vikings would be in right now if they were still paying Diggs to be on the roster. Yes the draft picks the Vikings get could turn out to be duds or just the next Trey Waynes solid type guys but valuable players but again some legit cap space for a couple years is a lot of value too. One thing Spielman has been able to do is get value for young talented players. I feel confident in the initial return received back if Hunter is dealt.

Ultimately I haven't done enough research into this draft to get super excited about having more picks this year to make but there are a lot of directions they could go to fill holes. I could also see them receiving a conditional 2022 pick that turns into a 1st round pick if Hunter makes the pro bowl has 12+ sacks or whatever.

Trading Hunter which would open up some cap space might make it easier to keep Barr which might not inspire great rejoicing from Vikings fans but it would keep a likely pretty good player on the roster and at a spot where they really need someone.

I agree. I think the way to rebuild in NFL is to get a ton of picks and build up a good amount of cap space. if things go well you draft right and then use that draft capital to front-load extensions on those players well having some flexibility to add pieces. If Hunter wants out it is hard to keep a guy in the locker room. How many teams win when they have a leader that wants out?

Today Chad Graff from the athletic basically reported all the stuff we have been sorta hearing. Hunter isn't happy he has been voicing some dissatisfaction while working out with teammates. Chad Graff isn't THE guy I go to for Vikings stuff but I've never got the idea he reports stuff that isn't legit. Chances of Hunter being traded in my mind are now hovering around 50%. I'm assuming all this smoke/chatter that's been reported for months is probably legit and honestly I'm assuming he is gone.

Bring on the draft picks and hopefully a smart signing with a few million in space. The last time they traded a young player and then had some money from trading away a young player (Harvin) to sign a player...Greg Jennings didn't work out but Drafting with those picks Rhodes and McKinnon was pretty good...especially since Harvin didn't exactly have a good career after he was traded.

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Looks like they now want to restructure Adam Thielen which could save another 8M in cap space.

I wonder if they give into Hunter, but his contract needs to create cap space. Not sure if that is even possible. I am not sure what his value is coming off a season of not playing.

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Browns sign safety John Johnson III to 3yr/33m contract. I just don't see Anthony Harris getting nearly that much from another team.

[Monster]

Looks like they now want to restructure Adam Thielen which could save another 8M in cap space.

I wonder if they give into Hunter, but his contract needs to create cap space. Not sure if that is even possible. I am not sure what his value is coming off a season of not playing.

It will be interesting to see what happens. Will Hunter want to play on this Dline with a couple really good tackles? I'm sure they could give Hunter a raise and keep him at his current cap number of they wanted. I'm not exactly sure if it's just about the money. I wonder if there is some other thing. I'm not saying there is but it's hard to really know when these reports are not exactly directly from Hunter.

[Monster]

Browns sign safety John Johnson III to 3yr/33m contract. I just don't see Anthony Harris getting nearly that much from another team.

I heard Wolfson reported the Vikings are working toward keeping Harris. I don't think he is going to get a big number like that either but for the right price I think keeping him on a 2-3 year deal makes a lot of sense. I'm thinking something 7 million a year or less is the most I would go. Even if the deal was say 3 years 21 million they could probably keep his 2021 cap number at 5 million or less and his future salary wouldn't be too crazy. I'm now feeling like I'm being a bit too optimistic about his return. That would fill another spot.