Minnesota Vikings’ Costly Gamble: Lessons Learned from the 27-year-old Player’s $13 Million Deal…
The Minnesota Vikings’ gamble on Marcus Davenport proved to be a costly misstep, as the edge rusher’s $13 million contract failed to yield the expected returns. Signed in the previous offseason, Davenport’s deal became increasingly unfavorable as ankle injuries limited him to just two complete games in the current season. The magnitude of the blunder, however, extends beyond the field, as uncovered details of the contract on The Star Tribune’s “Access Vikings” podcast indicate a flawed financial arrangement.
Reporters Andrew Krammer and Ben Goessling disclosed that Davenport, despite being on injured reserve, has received $2 million in per-game roster bonuses. The only stipulation preventing these bonuses was an injury to a shoulder that Davenport had operated on twice in 2022. Krammer highlighted the Vikings’ awareness of Davenport’s injury history, emphasizing that the team knowingly entered into the ill-fated contract.
The optics of the situation are undeniably grim, with Davenport’s meager playing time this season amounting to just 118 snaps. Speculation arises that the Vikings are unlikely to extend Davenport’s contract in the upcoming offseason, given the unfavorable terms and the player’s limited contribution.
The backdrop to Davenport’s signing reveals the Vikings’ urgent need for an edge rusher. Pressured by Za’Darius Smith’s contract demands and uncertain trade rumors surrounding Danielle Hunter, the team pursued Davenport as a purported solution. Despite his status as the top free-agent edge rusher, Davenport’s injury-prone history, with only one season exceeding 500 defensive snaps in the last five, raised concerns.
The failed Davenport experiment raises questions about the Vikings’ offseason strategy, particularly regarding elite edge rushers. With key players like D.J. Wonnum, Hunter, and Davenport facing expiring contracts, the team must navigate the challenge of restocking its edge rusher roster. The looming threat of losing these assets compounds the dilemma, especially considering the limited draft picks in the early rounds.
The Vikings face a critical decision in the upcoming offseason, torn between drafting a quarterback and addressing their edge rusher needs. Limited by having only two picks in the first three rounds, the team must carefully navigate its options. A potential avenue involves signing a veteran edge rusher in free agency, reminiscent of the Davenport move. Chase Young emerges as a candidate fitting this mold, possessing a first-round pedigree and, like Davenport, some injury concerns. Despite Young’s recent success with the San Francisco 49ers, he may offer a more financially palatable option, according to assessments valuing his 2023 performance at $15.28 million per year by Over The Cap.
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