DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 03: Minnesota Vikings head football coach Mike Zimmer watches the action during the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 03, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Minnesota defeated Detroit 37-35. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
The NFL is very serious about their salary cap requirements, and the Vikings found out the hard way.
The Vikings are following the salary cap guidelines quite well…now. That’s likely because they now understand the repercussions to ignoring such rules. A practice squad signing in 2019 is coming back to haunt Mike Zimmer’s group now, as the NFL has docked a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after discovering the issue rather recently.
Per the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “the team lost the 242nd overall pick. The Vikings now have 11 picks in the NFL draft, which will take place April 29-May 1. In addition, three Vikings executives were fined $10,000 apiece.”
The Vikings face curious cap decision ahead, so they need to be cautious
The Vikings have about $14 million in cap space thanks to a few recent contract restructures, specifically linebacker Anthony Barr, but Kirk Cousins’ deal still looms large.
Cousins contract runs through the 2022 season, and guarantees a significant amount of money. It’s tough to blame the Vikings, as Cousins remains a top-15 quarterback in the NFL despite his inefficiencies. Finding an elite quarterback in the NFL today is easier said than done, and while Cousins may redefine the term ‘elite’ in a bad way, he has Pro Bowl potential at his best.
The Vikings have plenty of holes to fill in the NFL Draft, so every pick docked is a big deal. Yet, with 11 selections remaining, Rick Spielman and Zimmer should have plenty of chances to bring in impact talent on affordable contracts.
Minnesota finished in third place in the NFC North last season. The Vikings expect better out of their 2021 campaign.