Surprise Vikings Cut that Could Happen During Training Camp
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Every year when it comes to training camp and the preseason there are a few surprise cuts from the team that not many see coming, and it’s going to be no different this year for the Minnesota Vikings.
This is a team that has a ton some question marks going into training camp, like who will be starting at quarterback, but they also have a ton of talent, which means tough decisions are going to need to be made. Let’s take a look at a couple of surprise cutes that could happen during training camp.
Lewis Cine
Maybe Lewis Cine wouldn’t exactly be a surprise, but based on where he was drafted, it would still be a shock to some. Cine was drafted with the 32nd pick in the 2022 draft and there was talk about him being a key part of the secondary for years to come. During the 2022 season, Cine only played two snaps before he suffered a gruesome leg injury in London that ended his season. During the 2023 season, Cine was buried on the depth chart, and only played eight defensive snaps. The Vikings need good secondary depth in 2024 and if the coaching staff doesn’t believe Cine offers that, he could be looking for a new home.
Jalen Nailor
At one point there were many who believed Jalen Nailor would end up being the third wide receiver for the Vikings, but at this point, it doesn’t look like that is going to happen. The top of the wide receiver room includes Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but after that there is a bunch of competition. Brandon Powell might not have the third wide receiver locked up but it’s hard to imagine he won’t be on the team. After those three though, there are guys like Nailor, Trent Sherfield, Lucky Jackson, and others fighting for a roster spot. Nailor has shown flashes of being a solid wide receiver in the NFL, but he’s going to need to have a big offseason to guarantee his spot on the 2024 season. If the Vikings only believe he’s going to catch three passes like he did during the 2023 season, it’s hard to imagine they let him stick around.
Will Reichard
The Vikings clearly like former Alabama Crimson Tide kicker Will Reichard who they took with a sixth-round pick, but he’s someone who could be a surprise cut. Before the Vikings took Reichard they had signed XFL star John Parker Romo. During the 2023 XFL season, Romo made 17 of his 19 kicks, including a 57 yarder. He also posted a video on Twitter back in March where he hit a 73-yard kick. If Romo can be consistent during training camp and the preseason, Reichard’s time in the purple and gold could be short-lived.
Nick Mullens
I think the Minnesota Vikings will decide to keep quarterback Nick Mullens on the team because of of what he provides off the field for the quarterback room, but if the Vikings decide they only want two quarterbacks, Mullens is probably out. If the Vikings decide between Hall and Mullens, I have to imagine they are going to keep Mullens, but if they decide only two quarterbacks are making the roster, Mullens could be out, and they might try to get away with stashing Hall on the practice squad. Hall probably doesn’t have a real long term future in Minnesota with the Vikings select JJ McCarthy in the first round. The Vikings are going to want to surround him with veterans in the locker room, but maybe they are going to decide that Sam Darnold is enough.
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