After a 2018-19 season where the group struggled at times, the offensive line made great improvement in 2019-20 and was a big reason the team won 11 games in total.
However, Green Bay proved in Week 16 that the offensive line still needs to improve more. The Packers’ Za’Darius Smith lined up in all kinds of different techniques across the defensive line and it didn’t matter where he went, he found a way to get pressure. Smith finished with 3.5 sacks and held the Vikings to 139 yards in total. The 49ers also showed you could beat the Vikings on the line of scrimmage, sacking Kirk Cousins six times in the Divisional Playoffs.
Maybe it’s time for a replacement, maybe not. If the Vikings cut Riley Reiff, they could save $8.8 million with $4.4 million in dead money. According to Pro Football Focus, Reiff played better than every starter on the offensive line, other than Brian O’Neill.
Reiff seems like the most viable candidate to get cut due to his large contract, but is that the right call? They might be able to restructure. The Vikings might want to rid themselves of other players before they go for a competent offensive lineman. If the Vikings cut Reiff or not, they still might go to the draft just to add another lineman, maybe one that fills a platoon role in case any member of the set five starts to struggle or gets injured.
Possible options: Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, Houston’s Josh Jones
