Washington Football Team: Potential cap casualties to target this offseason

OT Riley Reiff, Vikings

Left tackles do not grow on trees. Riley Reiff is a left tackle. He has been one for many years. At 32, he is playing as well as he ever has. In 2020, he cut down on his penalties and had excellent pass protection ratings.

So why would Minnesota let him go? After strong-arming Reiff into taking a salary cut in 2020, relations between the team and the player may not be great. Minnesota recently awarded him will a $1 million incentive bonus, but it is not clear whether that means they intend to keep him.

The Vikings face a difficult salary cap situation in 2021, and Reiff will be a fairly big hit. They do have some younger players who they seem to like. They may see it as time to move on.

If they do, Washington will have to decide if Reiff constitutes enough of an upgrade from Cornelius Lucas to pursue him. It would be very nice to have both, perhaps with Reiff starting at left tackle and Lucas becoming an invaluable swing tackle behind him and Morgan Moses. But they may also decide to look for long-term help at tackle in the draft.

I think Saahdiq Charles’ ultimate future is at guard, but he may figure into the equation as well. If you go after Reiff, you are essentially saying that you are prepared to win big very soon.