Vikings Predicted to Part With 6-Time Pro Bowler if He Declines Pay Cut

Several Minnesota Vikings stars are either headed to the market or face the chopping block with free agency less than two months away.

One such player is safety Harrison Smith, who turns 35 years old in February. The 12-year NFL veteran and six-time Pro Bowler reworked his deal to remain with Minnesota in 2023, and Alec Lewis of The Athletic contended Tuesday, January 29, that Smith will likely need to do so again to avoid an offseason cut.

Even if Smith plays in his 13th NFL season, don’t expect him to play for his projected $19.2 million cap hit. That number would be the fifth biggest among securities in 2024. Even though defensive coordinator Brian Flores praised Smith’s presence at the conclusion of the season, Smith’s production is not reflected in that cap hit.

Last offseason, Smith acknowledged a critical compensation slice to stay in Minnesota. A comparative methodology seems OK in the occasion Smith looks for another season, and that could save the Vikings upwards of $10 million [in] cap space for 2024.

Harrison Smith Among Vikings’ Most probable Compensation Cap Losses

Smith actually has two years staying on a $64 million expansion, which makes him a great cut possibility for the Vikings in the event that he isn’t willing to take less cash in 2024. Such was the reason of a January 16 article from Seat Report, which named Smith the establishment’s most probable cap setback.

“Regardless of whether Smith chooses to continue to play, the Vikings might hope to get more youthful and less expensive at the position,” BR’s Exploring Division composed. ” To continue playing for Minnesota, an agreement rebuilding might be important. The salary cap would be reduced by $11.4 million by outright releasing Smith, while the salary cap would be reduced by $15.3 million by releasing him after June 1.

Minnesota presently has more than $29 million in compensation cap space, which is definitely not an irrelevant sum. However, cutting Smith, who is about to turn 40 rather than 30, would increase that number by more than 50% for a team that will soon have to deal with the impending free agency of its top edge-rusher (Danielle Hunter) and starting quarterback (Kirk Cousins).

Vikings Face Crushing Monetary Hits in the event that They Don’t Expand Kirk Cousins, Danielle Tracker

On the off chance that the Vikings permit the two Cousins’ and Tracker’s agreements to void, the group will cause a projected $43.4 million consolidated cap hit in 2024 — $28.5 million from Cousins and $14.9 million from Tracker.

Expanding either Cousins or Tracker would delete that man’s staggering dead cap hit, permitting the Vikings to stay away from monetary binds without the advantage of keeping the player(s) costing the establishment that cash. If Minnesota has the additional $15 million it can pocket by cutting ties with Smith this summer, a new contract for either player or both will be much more likely to be signed.

One more out for the Vikings is on the off chance that Smith essentially chooses to resign. Doing so would mean overlooking truckload of cash, yet the wellbeing as of late demonstrated that result may be plausible as he fights the afflictions of a long NFL vocation.

“It’s difficult to can play and not want to play,” Smith told Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune on January 8. ” Whatever that gives you, I’m making an effort not to be foreboding or anything. At this moment my shoulder harms.”