The Vikings moved in the right direction last season -- stealing the NFC North title from the Packers -- but there's still some roster turnover that must transpire if they hope to finally win a playoff game.
Below are three players the team must sever ties with in 2016.
Mike Wallace
To be fair to the Vikings, they weren't the first team to be fooled by Mike Wallace's pace and power. The seven-year veteran was traded by the Dolphins last offseason for a fifth-round pick. Wallace was thought to be the deep-ball threat a developing Teddy Bridgewater needed.
Instead, all the Vikings received was a career-low 12.1 yards per reception and two TDs.
Even Stefon Diggs -- a fifth-round rookie -- managed better than that (13.8 yards per reception and four TDs). The difference is Diggs will only cost Minnesota $581,928 next season, per Spotrac. Wallace carries an $11.5 million cap hit, but one the Vikings can recoup in full if they release him.
“@Vikings: A message from Mike Wallace (@Wallace17_daKid).https://t.co/DARdMlevJj” not convinced at all lol
— HEAT/DOLPHIN FAN (@ShortridgeII) March 15, 2015
Chad Greenway
It's a young man's game. Chad Greenway is anything but young. The 33-year-old has seen his combined tackles decrease from 134 in 2013 to 93 in 2014. Last season, that number dipped significantly to 68.
With his Pro Bowl days behind him, the Vikings are better off letting him walk as an unrestricted free agent.
Brian Robison
Brian Robison signed a four-year, $22.4 million contract with the Vikings in 2014. Coincidentally, he was fresh off a career-high nine-sack season.
In the two seasons since said contract, he's only yielded 9.5 sacks total.
With Danielle Hunter waiting in the wings to replace Robison, the Vikings can save just over $3 million in cap space by releasing him.
For more content, follow us on Twitter @SportsWN or LIKE US on Facebook.
This absolutely breaks my heart. You're a warrior @Brian_Robison #SEAvsMIN #Vikings pic.twitter.com/C5ciZ4QrGq
— Alex Moretto (@thealexmoretto) January 10, 2016
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.