The Minnesota Vikings may not have gotten everybody they wanted on the official first day of free agency, but they were able to land a starting-caliber tackle in former Detroit Lion Riley Reiff.
Terms of the deal haven’t been released as of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, but USA Today‘s Tom Pelissero indicated the deal would be in the same vicinity as other contracts given out earlier to available offensive linemen, likely $10-12 million per year.
One such contract was awarded to former Vikings first-round pick Matt Kalil, who agreed to a five-year, $55.5 million contract to play on the same offensive line as his brother, Ryan, with the Carolina Panthers. Kalil will reportedly make $25 million guaranteed.
Kalil’s five-year Vikings career started on a high note when he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, but his play seemed to decline as he dealt with knee injuries and was joined by lesser talent at other positions on the line. His final season was cut short due to labrum surgery.
While reports are that the Vikings wanted Kalil back, they evidently weren’t willing to match Carolina’s aggressive offer.
It’s not clear yet whether Reiff will be Kalil’s direct replacement at left tackle or instead fill the hole at right tackle. The 28-year-old played four years at left tackle before transitioning to right tackle his final year with the Lions.
Riley Reiff’s @PFF rankings among offensive tackles:
2013: 42nd
2014: 38th
2015: 29th
2016: 48th
Interpret that however you like. #Vikings
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) March 9, 2017
Coincidentally, the same week that linebacker Chad Greenway retired, the Vikings brought in Reiff, who grew up in South Dakota and attended the University of Iowa, just as Greenway did.
Reiff was the 23rd overall pick in the 2012 draft, taken 19 picks after Kalil.
Reiff and Kalil weren’t the only players with Vikings ties on the move Thursday. The team opted to not tender restricted free agent wide receiver Charles Johnson, which made him a free agent. Tight end Rhett Ellison inked a four-year, $18 million deal with the New York Giants with $8 million guaranteed, while punter Jeff Locke will replace the retired Pat McAfee with the Indianapolis Colts.
Ian Rapaport of NFL Network also announced that running back Eddie Lacy was scheduled to visit with the Vikings in the coming days.
