Vikings GM Rick Spielman recently commented on reporters all about the off-season. Minnesota has big decisions to make in 2021, a free agency and NFL project.
The choices of who to keep and who to let go of will be difficult. The team has already left extremely tight Kyle Rudolph, but with the way the wage cap seems likely to be made, it will probably have to make further cuts.
Sometimes it’s hard to assess what will really be played in this offseason if you move away from what the front office offices of the league say at press conferences. That said, it can be interesting to look at what CEOs and others are willing to say publicly.
Here are some of the key points Spielman made 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, NFL Networks Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that the Vikings have decided to do it this offseason: make Hunter the highest paid defender in football or change him.
The Vikings GM would not discuss specific details of Hunter’s situation, but acknowledged that Hunter’s ultimatum was not disclosed to him, for Andrew Krammer of Star Tribune.
Spielman talks about the defense group
Minnesota Vikings LB Eric Wilson. Photo: Tim Fuller / USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings have a pretty big free agent in defender Eric Wilson, with not much room to keep him close for the future.
Spielman said the team could not afford three well – paid linebackers, per Caress. With Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks already hired, it looks like the team would have to split from one of those two to sign Wilson.
Spielman gives Barr confidence
Minnesota Vikings, LB Anthony Barr. Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports
It’s also a bad sign for Wilson coming back: Barr seems to be highly valued in the Viking organization.
“Anthony is a critical piece (I know Coach Zim has talked about it) of our defense,” Spielman said. Caress. “Only he on the pitch creates offensive coaches, they have to plan it … But it will all depend … on how the pieces will look in place.”
Spielman gives confidence to Cousins
Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. Photo: Brad Rempel / USA TODAY Sports
Right now, there is a lot of quarterback speculation around the league. Asked if Cousins was given a vote of confidence to be the Viking quarterback this season, Spielman gave a definitive answer, for Courtney Cronin, of ESPN.
“I think coach Zim put him to bed when he spoke after the season. Kirk Cousins is our quarterback, ”Spielman said.
You can read more about it here.
The team has difficult decisions ahead
Rick Spielman, GM of the Minnesota Vikings. Photo: AP Photo / Bruce Kluckhohn
Spielman said the Vikings “will have to make a lot of difficult business decisions” this offseason when it comes to the roster, for Cronin.
It will be interesting to see what Minnesota does to free up space at the limit as the low season progresses. Expect more veterans to restructure or move from the team, especially if the base cap ends up being low.