First Minnesota Vikings roster moves to get under salary cap have come to light
Neither of these are a surprise.
The Minnesota Vikings have a long way to go to get under the salary cap, and they have begun the path to get there. Barring a trade, the Vikings will be releasing both running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
As Schefter points out, these moves will create a significant amount of salary cap space, bringing the Vikings down to being $26.8 million over the salary cap. They will need to become compliant by the first day of the league year on Wednesday, March 11th.
Minnesota Vikings plan to cut Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave
Getting these moves out there quickly is a sound strategy. There were reports during the NFL Scouting Combine that the Vikings were having trade discussions surrounding Hargrave, and it makes sense when you consider how weak the free agency class is at defensive tackle.
For Jones, it will be a little more difficult to accomplish. Running back is becoming an increasingly important position, but you can find talented players there for inexpensive prices. He will carry a salary cap hit for any team acquiring him of $10 million with $9 million in base salary. That’s not a cheap price and, even though he has the talent worthy of that compensation, Jones is continuously banged up. The lack of durability could be an issue when it comes to facilitating a trace.
Big decisions are still looming, including with Justin Jefferson
The Vikings have made the first two moves known, but there is still a significant amount to do with getting under the salary cap. Restructuring Justin Jefferson can save the Vikings a whopping $16.99 million on the salary cap this season.
They can also restructure edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and left tackle Christian Darrisaw, while also giving right tackle Brian O’Neill an extension. Making all three of those happen would get the Vikings $11.53 million under the salary cap.
It could lead to the Vikings having a limited free agency this season, but that might be for the best with all the draft picks coming into the fold.
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