Vikings manager Rick Spielman recently talked to reporters about everything out of season. Minnesota has big decisions to make in 2021 free agency and the NFL project will appear.
The choices to keep and who to release will be difficult. The team has already launched tight Kyle Rudolph, but with the way it looks like the salary cap is likely, you will have to make more cuts.
Sometimes it’s hard to assess what will actually be played this off-season if you stray from what people at the front office are saying at press conferences. That being said, it can be interesting to look at what CEOs and others are willing to say publicly.
Here are some key points Spielman brought to the media on Wednesday:
Spielman addressed the situation of Danielle Hunter
Minnesota Vikings BY Danielle Hunter. Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports
During the 2020 season, The NFL network Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that the Vikings decided to do this off-season: Make Hunter the highest paid football defender or change him.
GM Vikings did not discuss details specific to Hunter’s situation, but acknowledged that Hunter’s ultimatum was not disclosed to him. Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune.
Spielman talks about the linebacker group
Minnesota Vikings LB Eric Wilson. Photo: Tim Fuller / USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings have a fairly large free agent in defender Eric Wilson, without much room to maintain him in the future.
Spielman said the team can’t afford three well-paid lines, per Cuddling. With Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks already in big contracts, it looks like the team should break up with one of the two to score Wilson.
Spielman trusts Barr
Minnesota Vikings LB Anthony Barr. Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports
Also a bad sign for Wilson’s return: Barr seems to be highly regarded in the Viking organization.
“Anthony is a critical piece – I know Coach Zim talked about this – of our defense,” said Spielman, per Cuddling. “Only he creates some offensive coaches on the field, they have to outline him … But it will all depend … how the pieces will fit in their place.”
Spielman trusts cousins
Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. Photo: Brad Rempel / USA TODAY Sports
There is a lot of defensive speculation around the league right now. Asked if Cousins received a vote of confidence to be the Vikings’ defender this season, Spielman gave a definitive answer on Courtney Cronin, ESPN.
“I think coach Zim put that to bed when he spoke after the season. Kirk Cousins is our defender, “said Spielman.
You can read more about it here.
The team has difficult decisions ahead
GM Vikings of Minnesota, Rick Spielman. Photo: AP Photo / Bruce Kluckhohn
Spielman said the Vikings “will have to make a lot of tough business decisions” in this off-season when it comes to the list, on Cronin.
It will be interesting to see what Minnesota does to free up ceiling space as it progresses out of season. Expect more veterans to be restructured or leave the team, especially if the base cap becomes low.