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Impact of Wallace Trade and Release of Jennings on Vikings

By Drew Mahowald

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Dec 14, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; dMiami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) runs the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The deal completed yesterday sending Mike Wallace to Minnesota is overall a positive one for the Vikings. Wallace will bring an added threat to the receiving corps, and another useful weapon for Teddy Bridgewater. However, this trade has led to the release of veteran receiver Greg Jennings.

As Ted Glover points out in his article on Daily Norseman, Wallace is a pretty expensive receiver. He’s due to make just under $10 million this season. Furthermore, Wallace would make over $11 million the next two seasons should he be on the roster.

However, none of the money Wallace is due to make in the seasons following 2015 is guaranteed. Therefore, as Glover points out, this season is basically a tryout year. If he underperforms this season, cutting him will cause no penalty on the Vikings. Overall, financially, this is a good move for the Vikings.

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    • On the field, Wallace will be a huge asset to the Vikings offense. His ability to stretch the field will open up so many other things for Teddy. Last year, Teddy’s deep threat was Charles Johnson, and you’d have to think Wallace would be a big upgrade in that department. As the season went on, Teddy became more and more accurate with his deeper passes, so Wallace should have plenty of opportunities to burn defensive backs.

    The addition of Wallace has just recently resulted in the release of veteran receiver Greg Jennings. Getting rid of Jennings means the Vikings lose a lot of leadership in the locker room, as well as a pair of sure hands for Teddy. However, releasing Jennings frees up a lot of cap space for the Vikings, and it’s not too big of a surprise. Additionally, I don’t think there’s any argument that Wallace is an upgrade over Jennings, and the receiving corps is definitely strengthened. With Jennings gone, look for Charles Johnson to move to the outside receiver and Jarius Wright to move to the slot. With Kyle Rudolph at tight end and Cordarrelle Patterson still having big potential, this passing attack could be very solid.

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    As for the draft, it seems a bit more unlikely that the Vikings will draft a receiver in the first round, which is what I want them to do. I expect the Vikings to go after linebacker Shaq Thompson, offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, or cornerback Trae Waynes. However, I would not at all be upset if the Vikings went with a receiver in that first round.

    Overall, this is a good move for the Vikings, They addressed a weakness on the depth chart and it also makes the decision easier regarding the draft. There’s no doubt that I’m excited to see Teddy and Mike Wallace connect for some big plays, and Vikings radio play-by-play man Paul Allen is excited too.

    Next: The Case for DeVante Parker

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