The Method Behind the Vikings’ Off-Season Madness

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports As the Vikings off-season unfolds, we can slowly begin to see some of the results of Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman’s year-end evaluations and plans for the coming season.

What was known from the beginning was that the Vikings had an $11 million salary cap deficit once the new league year began, and a number of free agents that had been long- time core players.

And so it was clear the Vikings would move on from some core players, But which ones were they ready to part ways with, and which would they try to retain, and why?

To answer those questions, and gain some insight into the plan for the draft and next season, let’s begin by reviewing what has happened so…