Vikings Could Be Gearing up for Big Trade After Reportedly Franchise-Tagging Anthony Harris
By Thomas Carannante
It's been a WILD morning in Minnesota.
First, the Vikings hammed out a two-year, $66 million contract extension with quarterback Kirk Cousins, heaping more guaranteed money on the veteran signal caller while clearing cap space for 2020. Now, they've reportedly franchise-tagged star safety Anthony Harris. But not so fast...
A surprise: the #Vikings have franchise tagged S Anthony Harris, either keeping him in Minnesota or allowing them to trade him. Maybe the top FA safety won’t be free.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The tag for safeties is expected to pay out $11.441 million this season, but the Vikings probably won't have the cap space to make it happen unless they cut more players, which also isn't very likely considering they already let Linval Joseph and Xavier Rhodes go a few days ago.
So, is a potential trade in the works? Tagging Harris allows the Vikings to control where he lands, but it could also benefit the 28-year-old considering a new team is sure to give him a contract extension as a condition of the deal.
CBS Sports projections yesterday of franchise tag numbers. The one for safety of $11.441 million was lower than expected, perhaps resulting in move on #Vikings safety Anthony Harris. https://t.co/dUsyuJnphD
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 16, 2020
Harris tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions last season, and has only missed three games since 2016, so the Vikings surely see a robust market for the former Virginia standout.
At this point, the team can't afford Harris, but if they get the phones going as soon as possible, a deal is feasible. Either that, or a few more releases could free up the necessary cap space to keep him for 2020 and beyond.