The #Vikings have terminated the contracts of DT Linval Joseph and CB Xavier Rhodes.https://t.co/VIg4PYgTK7

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 13, 2020

The Rhodes move clears $8.1 million in cap space, while releasing Joseph clears $10.487 million

— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) March 13, 2020

Do any other Vikings fans feel a little bit lighter? Well, the team’s pocket-book certainly does. The Vikings have officially cut Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph from the roster, clearing $18.5 million in cap space. Those numbers include the cap penalty, for cutting them. It looks like they have also released David Morgan.

According to Spotrac, the Vikings now have about $19M in salary cap money, to spend. However, once you add in the draft pool money that will be needed for that part of the offseason, their number goes down to just over $11M.

This is just the beginning. The Minnesota Vikings have a lot more work to do, if they are going to get that number down to an amount that will allow any flexibility this offseason.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The NFL offseason was getting underway and with Sheldon Richardson about to sign in Cleveland, the Vikings obviously had a need on the defensive front. After a season that saw the Vikings drop all the way from 2nd in the NFL against the run… to 15th, the Vikings turned to a familiar face.

Shamar Stephen, who played here from 2014-2017, was quickly locked down with a 3 year contract as soon as deals started to be announced. He is expected to bring his run-clogging presence back to the Vikings’ defensive line. Tom Johnson and Shamar Stephen were a force in 2017, next to Linval Joseph, which helped lead the Vikings to the #1 defense in both scoring and total yards that season. It’s clear the Vikings are looking to go back to that formula, where the focus is on stopping the run first, and thus forcing teams to beat them through the air.

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On its face, the loss of Sheldon Richardson seems like a big deal. He’s a very solid pass rusher from the DT position. But, playing defensive tackle goes far beyond that.

I took a look back at the 2018 season and compared Sheldon Richardson’s stats with Tom Johnson’s, to help myself put things into perspective:

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Sheldon Richardson

• 16 Games (16 Starts) 
• 49 Tackles (26 solo) 
• 6 TFLs 
• 16 QB Hits 
• 4.5 Sacks

(Per Pro-Football-Reference.com)

Tom Johnson

• 13 Games (0 Starts)
• 23 Tackles (16 Solo)
• 2 Fumble Recoveries
• 7 TFLs
• 7 QB Hits
• 4.5 Sacks

(Per Pro-Football-Reference.com)

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It’s not about the name, it’s about the work. Sheldon is a solid player, but at his cost, there are better options. Letting him walk was the right thing for the Vikings to do. Signing Stephen back was a good first step. Now, Tom Johnson is a Free Agent but has expressed interest in returning on a 1-Year Deal. That’s something the Vikings should be more than willing to do.

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DT Tom Johnson on free agency: “I’ve got interest from (#Vikings to re-sign) I definitely would like to return but you just never know how free agency is going to unfold'' He'd take 1-year deal “I’m not looking for a multi-year deal I’m in a situation that I’m playing it by ear'

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 7, 2019

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Brian Heintz | Minnesota Sports Fan

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3rd Down Defense, NFL, Since 1991

1. NO, 1991 – 26.1%
2. MIN, 2017 – 26.1%
3. OAK, 1998 – 26.3%
4. DAL, 1992 – 27.2%
5. TEN, 2003 – 27.7%

— Vikings PR (@VikingsPR) December 18, 2017

*Please Note – The above Tweet from the Vikings PR account lists 26.1% for the Vikings. As of Tuesday, ESPN.com shows Minnesota at 26.3%.

This year, the Broncos are currently 2nd in the NFL, in lowest percentage of 3rd down conversions by a defense. However, the “No Fly Zone“, and company, are allowing teams to convert 4.5% of the time more than Minnesota. As for the NFC, the silver medal goes to Philadelphia. The 12-2 Eagles are letting teams move the chains on 3rd down during just 32.8% of their attempts.

Green Bay’s defense currently sits 30th in this category. Their 44.8% conversion allowance is ahead of just two other NFL teams. That’s not a shot at any franchise or any neighboring state. I just thought it was noteworthy…

Packers placed Aaron Rodgers on IR; he’s done for the season.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 19, 2017

If you had to choose an MVP for this defense, who would it be?

My vote goes to Mike Zimmer’s brain. That thing is the key to making this engine go.

All jokes aside, a person could make a legitimate argument for picking one of a half of dozen players (Griffin, Joseph, Barr, Kendricks, Rhodes, Smith). From the elite edge rusher, to the 2x Pro Bowl Safety and all the way in-between; Minnesota’s defense is balanced and absurdly talented.

Guess who had the block that sealed the pick-6 for Eric Kendricks? Anthony Barr. The chemistry and lack of egos on this Vikings team is what makes it special.

pic.twitter.com/7GhLe02L6B

— J.R. (@JReidDraftScout) December 18, 2017

Some of the Best 3rd Down Defenses this Century:

• 2001 New York Giants (30.3%)
• 2003 Tennessee Titans (27.7%)
• 2004 Chicago Bears (30.5%)
• 2006 Baltimore Ravens (28.8%)
• 2015 Houston Texans (28.5%)

New Orleans 26.1% was posted in the early 1990’s. NFL rules have evolved to support more of offensive game. Why? Because touchdowns put asses in the seats.

Considering that aspect, it makes what Minnesota is accomplishing that much more impressive. In today’s pass happy league, Viking’s opponents have only seen success 46 times out of 175 attempts on 3rd down.

Welcome to The Xavier Rhodes Pit of Misery… DILLY DILLY! @VikingsGraphics pic.twitter.com/s94qfupPW0

— Luke Inman (@Luke_Spinman) December 19, 2017

The Falcons victory over Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football officially eliminated Green Bay from playoff contention. The Vikings face off against the Rodgers-less Packers on Saturday night. After that game, it’s the Bears at home to close the regular season. It doesn’t take a statistician to figure out that Minnesota could easily surpass that 1991 Saints mark.

Using the blowing out of the Bengals as an example, #SkolNation is having fun basking in the Purple’s recent success. However, this team will ultimately be remembered for what it does or doesn’t accomplish during the playoffs. A high-level regular season is great, but it easily can be all for not.

If you don’t believe me, just ask the 2016-2017 Golden State Warriors. Technically, they are NBA’s greatest “Regular Season Team” ever:

Oh yeah, just in case you want to get JACKED UP for this playoff run… After watching this, I am going run home from work instead of driving.

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

Photo: BRIAN PETERSON – STAR TRIBUNE