Veteran leadership in Brian Urlacher makes sense for young Minnesota Vikings squad
By Nam Huynh
Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Chicago Bears injured linebacker Brian Urlacher prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Yeah, the Brian Urlacher topic just won’t go away for the Minnesota Vikings.
There are reports that Urlacher, 36, may be in play for Vikings after minicamp.
The Vikings plan to evaluate what they have in rookie linebacker Gerald Hodges during their three-day rookie minicamp, which started Friday. With a slow and quiet free agent market right now, the team can afford to do so.
“We’re going to sit and assess what we have,” general manager Rick Spielman said last week.
Depending on the type of progress Hodges makes during this time, the coaches will determine the approach they want to take moving forward. One approach, of course, would be to sign a veteran linebacker like Urlacher.
With a team full of young players—especially after drafting potentially five new starters—the Vikings could use some more veteran presence to help balance the team. There is only so much a handful of veteran players can do, for a roster that will consist mostly of players in their early- to mid-twenties.
If the team cuts veteran punter Chris Kluwe—as it seems inevitable at this point—they will clear about $1.45 million in cap space, which may be used towards signing Urlacher.