The Minnesota Vikings’ free agency strategy has been very clear from the start: aggressively attack certain positions and prioritize maximizing the compensatory formula.
They did so in droves with both sides of the trenches getting fortified with center Ryan Kelly, right guard Matt Fries, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Among all of the signings that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made over the course of free agency, they were very calculated in how they maneuvered to maximize this year’s and future assets.
Vikings free agency strategy could cost them
As we are getting closer to the NFL Draft, the Vikings have gotten quiet, which was to be expected. They currently sit around $17 million in salary cap space and signing anyone before the compensatory formula ends after the draft didn’t seem likely.
That could end up costing them moving forward and the latest piece of evidence has come to roost with another quarterback option coming off the board. The Cleveland Browns signed Joe Flacco to a one-year contract for $4 million with a max value of $13 million if he hits incentives.Th
Reunion: the Cleveland Browns and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco reached agreement today on a one-year, $4 million deal worth up to $13 million with incentives, his agency @JLSports3 told ESPN. Flacco now will return to Cleveland, where he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the… pic.twitter.com/pOaCuhrVmS
The signing of Flacco is an important one for the Vikings, because it takes another quarterback off the market. Right now, the Vikings don’t have a true number two to pair with J.J. McCarthy. Sure, they have Brett Rypien in the room, but he’s a solid number three, not a number two you really feel comfortable with as the lead mentor for McCarthy.
The talent pool is dwindling for the Vikings and it’s starting to get worrisome. However, there is a saving grace. There are likely a quarterback or two who will end up getting released or more willing to sign once the NFL Draft is over. It’s likely the main reason why Kirk Cousins is still with the Atlanta Falcons.
There is the other factor here that you don’t want your backup quarterback to play. Does it matter much at this point who that guy is?
The Vikings should be somewhat concerned, but not all hope is lost. They don’t have much of a choice now than to stay patient.
