Vikings Territory: One Man Can Solve The Vikings LB Fears

Press release from Vikings Territory:

2021-08-25

The Minnesota Vikings roster was “set” with a heap of new free agents on the defensive side of the ball from Patrick Peterson, Dalvin Tomlinson, Sheldon Richardson, Bashaud Breeland, to Xavier Woods.

Well, that solidification might need scaling back – at least for a while. A growing concern on the status of Anthony Barr is evident. He’s beset by a mystery injury that jeopardizes his availability for Week 1, per the Vikings coaching staff.

August 24, 2021

This does not necessitate a pressing of the panic button, but it does bear resemblance to the Danielle Hunter dealings from the summer of 2020. Hunter encountered a neck tweak at this time last year – that turned out to be a season-ending malady.

With a Barr absence, players like Blake Lynch, Chazz Surratt, Ryan Connelly, and D.J. Wonnum might be called upon for increased work. But that leaves a lot to chance for a defense that desperately wants to rekindle Top-10-in-the-NFL form.

Curiously, K.J. Wright is unsigned at the moment, and he’s a Seattle Seahawks alumnus with a Pro Bowl appearance and Super Bowl ring on his resume. And the Vikings have about $13.5 million in available cap space.

Yet, the Vikings have shown a desire to get deep-deep on defense this offseason. See: The signings of Sheldon Richardson and Bashaud Breeland. Adding Wright – even if Barr turns out to be totally healthy by Week 1 — would be Richardson-esque from a too much is never enough perspective.

Wright would not be needed if Barr was fully ready this preseason. Yet, 2020 taught the Vikings that Zimmer cannot drag a full group of reservist players to stardom or even mediocrity. Zimmer needs his guys. Barr is a Zimmer Guy, and if he cannot play 17 games this season, well, a Wright swap into the lineup makes sense.

It is rarefied earth for the Vikings to own $13 million in cap space during late August. What will general manager Rick Spielman do with it? Save it for a rainy day? Extend the contracts of Harrison Smith and Brian O’Neill?

This press release was produced by Vikings Territory .The views expressed here are the author’s own.