Reports from Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero indicated Monday morning that the Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with two former starters.
Safety Andrew Sendejo will not have his team option picked up, clearing $5.5 million in cap space, while guard/tackle Mike Remmers will be released to open up another $4.55 million. The team confirmed both transactions after initial reports leaked.
The moves give the Vikings over $10 million in cap space at the start of free agency. A trade of Everson Griffen, Xavier Rhodes or Trae Waynes could free up even more capital in the coming days, as has been speculated by numerous reports.
Sendejo, 31, missed the final 11 games of the 2018 season with a groin injury and was usurped by Anthony Harris, who graded out as the third-best safety in football, per Pro Football Focus. Harris, a restricted free agent received a second-round tender from the team to return next year.
Sendejo started 58 games for Minnesota and was one of the longest-tenured Vikings after joining the team in 2011. He earned a reputation as one of the hardest-hitting safeties in football, which got him in trouble with the league in the form of two fines and a suspension over the last two seasons.
Remmers was due $6.35 million against the cap in 2019, but the Vikings will only owe him $1.8 million in light of the release. In his second stint with the Vikings, Remmers played a big part in their 2017 NFC North title, primarily as a right tackle. He struggled in 2018 after being moved to guard, however.
With last year’s left guard, Tom Compton, also a free agent, the Vikings could have two new offensive guards in 2019. Minnesota could conceivably re-sign 2017 starter Nick Easton, sign a potential starter in free agency or address the need through the draft.
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