Riley Reiff missed out on a contract incentive that would have given him a nice little boost to his pockets in 2020 because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Vikings ownership took a step this week to right a wrong brought about by the novel coronavirus. Minnesota renegotiated Reiff's contract and gave him a $1 million signing bonus, making up for the amount Reiff would have earned in a playing-time bonus had he been able to suit up in Week 17, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Thursday.
Reiff missed Week 17 because he had landed on the COVID-19 list.
What is a nice gesture could also be a parting gift. With the 2021 cap still uncertain due to the financial effects of the pandemic, but projections putting it within an uncertain range $175-185 million range, the Vikings are going to need to shed some salary to get under the cap. Like the Broncos did with A.J. Bouye on Wednesday, the Vikings could cut Reiff -- who carries the fourth-highest cap number on the team into 2021 -- before his $5 million roster bonus comes due in March.
Doing so would save the Vikings over $11 million, and with Reiff at 33 years old and in the final year of his deal, it seems almost too logical, especially if the cap lands on the lower side of that range and really presses Minnesota into cost-cutting action.
For now, Reiff remains a Viking, and he's $1 million wealthier after the pandemic initially robbed him of what would have been his rightfully earned bonus.
The team also announced Thursday the official signing of kicker Greg Joseph.
Here's other news Around The NFL is monitoring on Thursday:
- The Denver Broncos announced Thursday they have hired Pierre Ngo as assistant strength and conditioning coach. The team also announced it had signed free agent defensive tackle Isaiah Mack, who played eight games last season (two for the Patriots and six for the Titans).
- The Cleveland Browns have waived cornerback Robert Jackson.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars released veteran linebacker Kamalei Correa, Pelissero reported per the transaction wire. Correa spent time with the Titans and Jaguars last season, earning six starts in Jacksonville.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is set for a minor knee "clean up," Pelissero and NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
- The Tennessee Titans announced Thursday the additions of Erik Frazier as offensive skill assistant and Jason Houghtaling as offensive line assistant.
