Vikings interim GM Rob Brzezinski playing chess, not checkers with the salary cap

Getting under the salary cap this offseason has been huge for the Minnesota Vikings. They had to make some serious decisions to eliminate over $46 million in salary cap space.

They started by restructuring three of their top players: wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left tackle Christian Darrisaw, and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. Then, insiders reported that running back Aaron Jones, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Lastly, tight end T.J. Hockenson took a pay cut to stay with the team.

They ended up keeping Jones on a pay cut, but both Allen and Hargrave were cut, with the former being a post-June 1st designation.

Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave will net Vikings an intriguing benefit

Moving on from both players left a big hole on the defensive line, and the Vikings with around $28 milion in dead salary cap space over the next two years. It's a lot of dead money for just one year from each player.

Where interim general manager Rob Brzezinski did a good job navigating the dead money both incurred. Both players had guaranteed money owed to them by the Vikings when they were cut, with Allen being owed $8 million and Hargrave $4 million. The good thing with that guaranteed money is they both signed massive contracts.

With Hargrave getting $23 million over two years and Allen getting up to $28 million over the same time, it's very likely that the Vikings will get a lot of money back in salary cap credits due to offset language.