Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce opting out is a big setback for the Minnesota defense.
However, there is a silver lining: Pierce opting out leaves some more cap space for the Vikings to work with.
So now that the team has signed all of its rookies, what’s left in cap space can now be used to extend players with short-term contracts or go out and sign free agents.
The Vikings have $14.2 million in salary cap space for 2020, according to Over The Cap.
The team could use some of that space to sign a possible replacement for Pierce. There’s also the option of attempting to re-sign Everson Griffen.
Griffen voided his contract with the Vikings earlier this offseason. He announced he was leaving the team in free agency. However, he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero “never say never” about a possible return to the Vikings.
Griffen coming back would add stability to a defensive line that will have question marks surrounding the three-technique and the nose defensive tackle spots.
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