The Minnesota Vikings have a looming decision to make on left tackle Matt Kalil.
Kalil, a 2012 first-round pick, is entering the final year of his four-year rookie deal. That means that Minnesota can exercise his fifth-year option (May deadline), come to terms on a long-term agreement or let him play out his deal and figure it out next year. None of the options are ideal fits for the up-and-down career Kalil has had thus far.
Exercising Kalil's fifth-year option would cost the team somewhere around $10.75 million. That's a lot of money for a team hoping to add some playmakers in free agency to aid quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's development. Normally, left tackles are some of the most sought after and valuable players in the NFL. But Kalil has been maddeningly inconsistent since entering the league.
"Kalil would be paid an average of the top-10 left tackles in the league," Fox Sports' Brian Hall wrote. "Playing to his potential, Kalil might qualify for such a high obligation. He was considered the prototypical left tackle coming out of Southern California and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.
"But he struggled with a knee injury in 2013, and then the effect lingered into 2014. Only two offensive linemen were penalized more than the 12 flags Kalil drew last season. He was rated 81st out of 84 offensive tackles last season by Pro Football Focus."
Minnesota wants to protect Bridgewater's blind side at all costs. When healthy, Kalil appears to be able to do that. Despite his rough season, the left tackle started to play better in the latter half of the year.
"However, Kalil also improved down the stretch and, perhaps, provided hop he could get back to a Pro Bowl level," Hall wrote. "He was flagged just three times in the final five weeks, one of which was declined. According to Pro Football Focus, after Kalil allowed 11 sacks in his first 10 games, he only gave up one sack the rest of the season."
Overall, the Vikings' offensive line was middle of the pack. The team ranked 14th in rushing yards per game (112.8) and 23rd in sacks allowed (51). Some of that could be offset if former MVP Adrian Peterson returns to the team next year. But one way or the other, Kalil knows he has to be better in 2015.
"It's important," Kalil said of his offseason. "Obviously I set the bar high my rookie season, so that's the expectations of me for the rest of my career; if I don't do that or if I do, do that. As far as I critique myself, I know how I'm doing and the level that I play at. It's just about getting my body on that same level and being super sharp when OTAs come, and keep sharpening that skillset so when the season comes I'm not behind and I'm ahead of the curve and ready to go."
There's a whole lot riding on this season for Kalil and the Vikings and both parties know it. Will the 25-year-old rise to the occasion?
