Riley Reiff Sounds Off on His Future With the Vikings

Getty

Riley Reiff opened about his outlook with the Vikings after taking a pay lower within the offseason.

Vikings left deal with Riley Reiff was on the chopping block firstly of September. The Vikings wanted to signal Yannick Ngakoue and Reiff’s contract was one of many few inflated offers left on the Vikings roster.

Reiff agreed to a brand new deal that helped the Vikings not solely signal Ngakoue but in addition re-sign Dalvin Prepare dinner. Every week in the past, NBC Sunday Night time Soccer broadcaster Al Michaels described the Vikings‘ 2021 wage cap scenario bluntly: “wage cap hell,” with below a $1 million left within the group coffers.

Ngakoue and Anthony Harris will each attain free company this coming offseason — and with Cousins’ assured contract — the Vikings might come Reiff’s manner once more in 2021.

Reiff addressed the potential for the Vikings to slash his contract as soon as once more.

Die-hard Vikings fan? Observe the Heavy on Vikings Fb web page for the most recent breaking information, rumors and content material out of Skol Nation!

‘I Take it Hour-by-Hour’

When requested if he permits himself to look past the 2020 season given his contract scenario and the way forward for his profession on a tightrope.

“I take it hour-by-hour, I like it right here” Reiff chuckled. “The Vikings have been nice to me, I’m blissful to be right here.”

LIVE: T Riley Reiff previews #ATLvsMIN https://t.co/jFtZmRux1E

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 16, 2020

Reiff’s contentment was evident after he agreed to a $6 million pay lower — almost half of his 2020 wage — to stay the group’s beginning left deal with and most skilled lineman.

“That’s what occurred, and I’m glad to be again right here. I’m blissful to be right here and able to transfer ahead and carry on enjoying for the Vikings.”

By 5 video games this season, Reiff is constructing a case that his 2021 wage needs to be proven some mercy.

Reiff Turning a Nook

Reiff has been a revelation this season after permitting 20 pressures in 5 video games two years in the past and two sacks on the five-game benchmark in 2019.

Reiff, in his third season with the Vikings, has allowed the third-fewest pressures and boasts the fourth-best pass-block effectivity grade amongst offensive tackles, per Professional Soccer Focus. Permitting zero sacks and never committing a penalty but this season, Reiff is having a bounceback marketing campaign in his ninth 12 months.

Followers have even begun filling out “apology varieties” on Twitter, checking the packing containers for what causes they’d not given Reiff an opportunity and referred to as for his sacrifice on the contract slicing board.

Idek why my dumb ass wished to chop him so I’m simply checking all of the packing containers and taking the L pic.twitter.com/8yULmQ4dQ4

— Tom Czech (@tom_czech) October 12, 2020

His efficiency this season has matched his management within the locker room as Reiff has been credited with shifting the tradition.

“When (Reiff) first got here right here, he modified the tradition of the offensive line room…it actually began with him when he first received right here,” Professional Bowl vast receiver Adam Thielen stated following Reiff’s pay lower.

Defending Kirk Cousins‘ blindside, Reiff has is popping a nook in changing into a veteran anchor to the offensive line that’s within the midst of molding its future in 2019 first-rounder Garrett Bradbury and 2018 second-rounder Brian O’Neill.

Each Bradbury and O’Neill have been named among the many NFL’s most underrated gamers and have the potential to turn into stars at their respective positions. Bradbury has ranked within the high 10 beginning facilities this season whereas O’Neill has been common whereas being hampered by sub-par guard play.

The trio might turn into the inspiration for the Vikings who haven’t despatched an offensive lineman to the Professional Bowl since Matt Kalil’s rookie 12 months in 2012.

Had Reiff not taken the pay lower firstly of the season, there are main questions as to what the Vikings would seem like this season. And whereas a 1-Four file and competing with two undefeated groups isn’t a lot to put in writing house about, Reiff is making a powerful case that’s leaving the Vikings second guess what the group could seem like with out him.

RELATED ARTICLES: