Sharrif Floyd Becomes A Free Agent
According to an NFL release, Sharrif Floyd‘s contract did not toll into 2018, making the defensive tackle a free agent in 2018 (Twitter link). He does still have a grievance in settlement negotiations to determine how much he should have been compensated from the Vikings in 2017.
Floyd missed all of 2017 and all but one game the previous year after suffering a knee injury in the 2016 season opener. In September 2016, Floyd underwent arthroscopic surgery on that knee.
Floyd, 25, has played in 44 games and registered 9.5 sacks since being selected in the first round by Minnesota in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Joe Berger Has Offers From Vikings, Lions; May Retire
Offensive lineman Joe Berger may hang up his cleats. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the veteran is considering retirement. The reporter notes that the lineman already has offers on the table from both the Vikings and Lions. We heard earlier this week that at least three teams were eyeing Berger.
The 35-year-old has spent the past seven seasons with the Vikings, where he’s started of each his 46 games over the past three seasons. Capable of playing guard or center, Berger ranks as PFR’s No. 8 interior lineman heading into free agency. Berger had previously indicated that he’d likely retire following the 2017 season, but he’s since walked that back.
The lineman started all 16 games for the Vikings last season, and Pro Football Focus ranked him 23rd among 77 guard candidates following the campaign. Mike Remmers and Danny Isidora are currently slotted in as the Vikings starting guards, while Joe Dahl and T.J. Lang hold that distinction for the Lions.
Broncos To Trade Trevor Siemian To Vikings
The Vikings are finalizing a trade for Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Siemian now projects as the No. 2 QB in support of starter Kirk Cousins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the Broncos will also send a 2018 late-round pick to Minnesota, while the Vikings will trade a 2019 draft pick.
Siemian offered decent production in 14 games as the Broncos’ starter in 2016, as the former seventh-round pick completed 59.5% of his passes for 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Last season, however, Siemian struggled mightily, and Denver ultimately turned to Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch under center.
The 26-year-old ultimately led the Broncos to a 5-5 record in 10 starts, completing 59% of his passes for 2,285 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked Siemian 36th among 39 eligible signal-callers. For what it’s worth, the website had rated the quarterback similarly in 2016.
Siemian will be a low-cost backup to Cousins in Minnesota, as the quarterback is set to have only a $1.9MM cap hit in 2018. The Vikings are also currently rostering former Broncos quarterback Kyle Sloter. Meanwhile, after having inked former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum to a deal, the Broncos are seemingly content with one of Paxton Lynch or Chad Kelly in a backup role. We had previously heard that the Broncos were shopping Siemian, with both the Jets and Falcons showing interest in the former seventh-rounder.
Vikings Exploring Sheldon Richardson Add
While the Vikings have already made their big splash, and one of the defining moves of the NFL’s free agency era, they may not be done looking into big-name talent.
Minnesota has inquired about a possible Sheldon Richardson signing, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Richardson is one of the top free agents still unattached.
However, the Seahawks are still interesting in bringing Richardson back and would prefer to retain the sixth-year defensive lineman, per Pelissero.
Richardson assimilated into a 4-3 scheme last season and would obviously do the same in Minnesota. The Vikings have a bit of a hole at defensive tackle alongside Linval Joseph. Tom Johnson is a free agent. Richardson, though, would cost much more than Johnson. He is, however, just 27 and should have a few prime years remaining despite not quite being as dominant in Seattle as he was at his Jets peak.
Vikings Interested In OL Kevin Pamphile
The Vikings have “preliminary” interest in offensive guard Kevin Pamphile, reports Chris Tomasson of St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter). However, the front office is still sorting out what to do regarding the offensive line in free agency. Tomasson notes that the Vikings are interested in bringing back Joe Berger.
The 27-year-old Pamphile has spent his entire career with the Buccaneers, including a 2017 campaign that saw him appear in 16 games (15 starts). Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance last season, ranking him 57th among 77 offensive guard candidates. The site rated him as a better run blocker than pass blocker. We previously heard that Pamphile was generating interest from eight-to-ten teams. The lineman was listed 15th among interior linemen in PFR’s position rankings.
The 35-year-old Berger has spent the past seven seasons in Minnesota, and he started all 16 games in 2017. We heard earlier today that the Vikings had interest in retaining the veteran, and there were at least three other teams eyeing the lineman.
Vikings Could Ask Murray, Robison To Take Pay Cut
- Now that Kirk Cousins is closing in on a fully guaranteed deal with the Vikings, at least one source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link) that Minnesota could ask running back Latavius Murray or defensive end Brian Robison to accept a pay cut in 2018. Murray got into the end zone eight times in 2017, but he’s due to count more than $6MM on next year’s cap and isn’t a lock to start given that rookie sensation Dalvin Cook will return from injury. Robison, meanwhile, hasn’t even decided if he’ll play during the upcoming season. If he retires, the Vikings will pick up $3.488MM in cap space, the same total as if he retires.
Vikings Interested In CB Ross Cockrell
Ross Cockrell is on the Vikings radar. Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minneapolis reports (via Twitter) that the organization is interested in the free agent cornerback. Wolfson adds that the Giants would like to retain the defensive back, but Cockrell’s decision will likely come down to money.
The 2014 fourth-rounder out of Duke spent time with the Bills and Steelers before joining the Giants via trade last September. The 26-year-old had another productive campaign, compiling 50 tackles, 11 passes defended, and three interceptions in 16 games (nine starts). Cockrell was listed 39th in Pro Football Focus’ ranking of the 120 eligible cornerbacks. Our own Dallas Robinson ranked Cockrell 13th among all free agent cornerbacks, noting that he was an ideal option for those seeking a bargain.
The Vikings are apparently seeking reinforcement at the position, as they previously expressed interest in free agent Bryce Callahan. Minnesota already has All-Pro Xavier Rhodes and former first-rounder Trae Waynes slotted into their starting lineup, but Cockrell could be an upgrade over the likes of Mackensie Alexander, Jack Tocho, and Horace Richardson.
Raiders, Bills Interested In Tom Johnson
The Bills and Raiders have expressed interest in Vikings free agent defensive tackle Tom Johnson, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). Johnson, 33, is seeking a two-year deal “for the highest salary he can get since it might be his last big contract,” Tomasson adds.
Last year, Johnson appeared in all 16 games and managed 23 pressures two sacks from the interior. He reportedly asked for a one-year, $4MM extension last season, but the Vikings refused, which could give an idea where Minnesota stands on Johnson’s value.
Heading into free agency, Johnson ranked PFR’s No. 9 free agent defensive tackle.
Bucs Interested In RB Jerick McKinnon
The Buccaneers have interest in running back Jerick McKinnon, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (on Twitter). McKinnon could be a fit for Tampa Bay’s backfield following the release of Doug Martin. 
On Tuesday morning, the Bucs re-signed exclusive rights free agent Peyton Barber, who also figures to be a key component in the running game. McKinnon may not have the build to carry the ball 17 times per game, but he could combine with Barber to make a formidable combo at running back.
Heading into free agency, I ranked McKinnon as one of the 50 best players available and ranked him third amongst all running backs based on ability.
A return to Minnesota has not been officially ruled out for McKinnon, but he has been vocal about his desire for a larger role.
Vikings Likely To Sign Kirk Cousins
It’s not a done deal, but it’s getting close. Kirk Cousins is likely to sign with the Vikings, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It would be a three-year, fully guaranteed contract (Twitter link).
Meanwhile, agent Mike McCartney is doing his best to pump the brakes. 
“No final decisions have been made,” McCartney said. “The plan is to visit Minnesota first. That’s all we can say right now.”
The Jets, of course, have had their eye on Cousins for months. The Cardinals were also hoping to get involved, but their limited cap space was a major obstacle in the Cousins sweepstakes. The Broncos were also said to be in the “final four” for Cousins at one point, but they moved quickly to sign Case Keenum early Tuesday morning. It’s quite possible that Denver sensed that Cousins was likely to go to Minnesota, driving them towards Keenum before another team could scoop him up.
Cousins made the Vikings his first visit on Tuesday — without also scheduling a Jets visit. These visit arrangements becoming public is not permitted, however, by an odd rule. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explains, negotiations between a player’s agent and a team can take place during the tampering period. But plans for a meeting are not yet allowed. This could put the Vikings in position to be punished in a fashion similar to the Chiefs, who were docked a 2016 third-round pick for tampering with Jeremy Maclin in 2015.
Reportedly, the Vikings have offered Cousins a three-year deal with a $28MM annual salary. That annual figure is a bit shy of what we expected Cousins to land in free agency, but it may come with an unprecedented level of guaranteed money. It’s also possible that Cousins has better offers out there, but he may lean toward the Vikings since they would give him an opportunity to win right away.
The Vikings came one game away from reaching the Super Bowl last season with Keenum at the helm. As good as Keenum was in 2017, Cousins would represent a significant upgrade under center for this talented Vikings squad.
This would bring an end to Cousins’ lengthy run of complicated offseasons, at least for a while. It stands to arm the Vikings — the NFC’s No. 2 seed last season — with a quarterback upgrade. Minnesota has uniquely advanced to its past five playoff brackets, dating back to 2008, with five different passers — none of which repeating the feat with the team.
Minnesota will also be in position to win one of the most competitive races in free agency history, thus forcing Arizona and New York to scramble for other possible veteran solutions. It would make A.J. McCarron and Sam Bradford logical targets for these teams, each hoping to secure a Cousins commitment and thus more security at American sports’ premier position. However, the Jets are eyeing Teddy Bridgewater as a Plan B at this juncture.
This deal coming to fruition would obviously represent a seismic turn of events taking place. Cousins’ shorter-term pact would potentially put him back on the market after his age-32 season. It also could be a massive domino for his peers.
A player being signed to a fully guaranteed contract opens the door, at the very least, to other quarterbacks being able to demand the same kind of agreement. Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan are two beneficiaries on the surface. Each has achieved more than Cousins and is either already in talks with this team (Rodgers) or entering a contract year (Ryan). This could also potentially blaze a trail for players at other positions in high-leverage situations to be able to command similar accords, striking a major blow for the labor force in the nation’s most popular sport — a group that sees its MLB and NBA peers lap it when it comes to guarantee percentages.
Sam Robinson contributed to this report.