Stay or leave: 12 Vikings on the bubble

January 1, 2017 at 1:48AM
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) attempted a pass while under pressure form Brian Robison (96) in the first quarter.
Vikings defensive end Brian Robison. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

With a bunch of free agents and a few overpriced veterans on the books, there will be a lot of locker stalls vacated at Winter Park this winter. Here are 12 Vikings who could be goners when the offseason begins in March.

Sharrif Floyd, DT: The Vikings have the 2013 first-rounder under contract for one more year at $6.8 million. That's a lot for the oft-injured defender.

Brandon Fusco, G: Fusco, another player who has been in and out of the lineup, has not lived up to the five-year extension he signed in 2014.

Chad Greenway, LB: The 33-year-old indicated before the season that this would be his last. He's going to mull it over but is still likely to retire.

Shaun Hill, QB: The Vikings didn't display much confidence in Hill this year and aren't expected to re-sign the soon-to-be 37-year-old free agent.

Matt Kalil, T: While he was often ripped for his lapses in pass protection, the pending free agent obviously proved to be better than the alternatives.

Captain Munnerlyn, CB: Munnerlyn played well in his three years with the Vikings, but they drafted Mackensie Alexander to replace him in the slot.

Terence Newman, CB: The 38-year-old played well this season before the "miscommunication" in Week 16. But it is time for Trae Waynes to start.

Adrian Peterson, RB: Will the Vikings move on from Peterson, who played in only three games in 2016, will be 32 and is due to make $18 million?

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR-KR: After two lost seasons, he became a useful player again on offense. But the free agent could use a change of scenery.

Brian Robison, DE: With a $6.6 million cap hit in 2017 and the emergence of youngster Danielle Hunter, Robison could be asked to take a pay cut.

Andre Smith, OT: The Vikings took a one-year gamble and he lasted only four games. But still, either Smith or Kalil could be back in 2017.

Adam Thielen, WR: Thielen is a restricted free agent, so the Vikings are going to have to pay the man. Cutting underused Jarius Wright could free up some cash.


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Matt Vensel

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