It's not as if the Minnesota Vikings have gobs of salary cap space to play with - just under $20 million, according to OverTheCap.com - but the team was still expected to bring in a difference making offensive player for Teddy Bridgewater or an impact defender this offseason.
Minnesota's promising 7-9 season under first-year head coach Mike Zimmer and uncertainty at the wide receiver and running back positions had fans hoping that the team would be actively adding talent in the offseason. While Vikings brass plans to improve the roster before next season, it may not be with the splashy acquisitions fans were hoping for.
"Zimmer said at the NFL scouting combine that he preferred not to spend big money in free agency," ESPN's Ben Goessling wrote. "That means players such as Randall Cobb and Ndamukong Suh likely won't be going to Minnesota, even if they'd help. Niners guard Mike Iupati could be a good fit, but he'll be pricey. Look for the Vikings to find a few strategic pickups before turning their attention to the draft."
The 2015 NFL draft could bring Louisville star wide receiver DeVante Parker to town. Or it could bring Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes. Both would be helpful additions, though neither would address the growing uncertainty surrounding Adrian Peterson.
"Zimmer said the Vikings aren't looking to acquire a running back in free agency, and even after Adrian Peterson told ESPN he was 'uneasy' about returning to Minnesota, the Vikings won't try to make [DeMarco] Murray their next franchise-caliber back," Goessling wrote. "The Vikings got more than 1,100 yards out of Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon last season. They'll have a chance to draft a running back out of a deep class, and they're still hoping they can bring Peterson back, even if things look uncertain at the moment."
They say that slow and steady wins the race and it's not as if the free agent splurge by the Philadelphia Eagles in Andy Reid's last few seasons worked out. It appears that being selective in free agency, maintaining financial flexibility and drafting well are the top priorities in Minnesota. Can't really say that I disagree.
