The Minnesota Vikings appear to have found their future quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater. The rookie quarterback showed plenty of potential last season after he took over for Matt Cassel and the Vikings never looked back. However, in order for Bridgewater to continue succeeding with the team, Minnesota must improve the offensive weapons around him. That may or may not include Adrian Peterson while it also might not include Greg Jennings.
Last season, the Vikings were counting on the tandem of Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson to help Bridgewater. That failed to develop for the Vikings. Jennings did lead the team, but only put up 742 yards and six touchdowns. Patterson had a very successful Week 1 and was almost never heard from again putting up just 384 yards and one touchdown. The Vikings needed more out of Patterson and as a result will be looking for upgrades at the position this offseason. That might come at the expense of one person on the roster.
Looking at the 2015 salary-cap numbers for the Vikings, Jennings is an $11 million hit while Patterson is just a $1.97 hit. Lone bright spot Jarius Wright who blossomed in Year 3 is a $1.68 million hit. While there is no confirmation that someone is going to get released in order to make improvements, the Vikings would save $6 million by releasing him. Cutting him after June 1 would save the Vikings $9 million. Jennings will be 32 at the start of next season and could end up being expendable.
The Vikings need a top threat. That was supposed to be Patterson, but the wide receiver took an even bigger step back in his sophomore year that has Minnesota thinking otherwise. The former first-round draft pick had his effort and offensive knowledge questioned by the coaching staff while getting benched late in the season for Charles Johnson. The trade market for Patterson is not that strong, meaning the Vikings must hope he develops while potentially releasing Jennings.
The Minnesota Star Tribune has made a case for the Vikings to trade for Larry Fitzgerald or Mike Wallace, but there salaries are not ideal either. With the potential of Adrian Peterson returning, getting someone with a big cap hit is not idea. The Vikings could try and sign someone like Michael Crabtree or Torrey Smith who would command less money or focus on the draft for the help. ESPN.com believes the Vikings could take someone like Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker or Kevin White No. 11 overall.
