Kevin Williams

[Funkytown]

We let a veteran on the backside of his career hit free agency, and we're suppose to ring him like his mom to make sure he's kept in the loop?

Yep. That'd be nice.

[Loki]

At first I was kinda surprised that it seems were not going to bring back Kevin Williams, especially after we didn't land Henry Melton, but the more I think about it the more it makes sense. Kevin is an older guy and not really a fiery vocal leader, at least from what i see from him, he seems more of a soft spoken let his play do the talking type of leader. I think Jared was a bit the same way, he was fiery but more so for himself and not necessarily getting after other people. I think the staff wants the younger guys to stand up and be leaders and i think they know if they bring back Kevin they will default to him as the leader. I think Griffen and Robison will take over as the leaders this upcoming season and I think they are a lot more fiery and will get after the other guys a lot more than Jared and Kevin might have.

[PurpleMustReign]

We let a veteran on the backside of his career hit free agency, and we're suppose to ring him like his mom to make sure he's kept in the loop?

I agree. Unfortunately, he is probably priority #63 for this team right now. While I would love to have him back, it has to be for the right reasons.

[DanAS]

I'm not willing to criticize the way the Vikes have handled the Williams situation because I don't know enough about the things they told him privately. It doesn't sound like they promised him a rose garden this off-season. And perhaps they would have re-signed him if they couldn't have signed some of these other admittedly lesser talents that they picked up recently. I just don't know.

What I do know is that Williams has been a great contributor to the Vikes over the years. Whether he belongs on the first, second or third All-Time Viking All-Star Team could be debated, but he clearly played at an elite level on a unit that over the decades has been this franchise's strongest (the DL). So he should consider himself in one heck of a fraternity.

[Tark10]

Look.....Even Page got traded and finished his career as a Bear.

[dkoby]

I love Kevin Williams but I agree with Demi. I mean its only been a week since they last talked and some here are saying communications are "shut down"
They know exactly what they have in Kevin Williams. Don't forget that he made it clear that he was probably going to retire. Now that Zimmer was hired, he wants to play.
He also grumbled about having to play nose last year. I want team players who will do anything for the team.....even if it means he has to play nose tackle.
There is a lot of time left before training camp.
At this point, he's a solid 3 technique on the decline, I'm willing to let the market play out and offer him a deal somewhere down the road.

[CbusVikesFan]

Kevin has been my favorite Viking since he was drafted. Whenever the time comes that he is not a Viking, the Viking flag should fly half mast that day. What a great Viking! It was fun watching him dominate the line for many years. Thanks Big Ticket!

[mmvikes]

Kevin has been my favorite Viking since he was drafted. Whenever the time comes that he is not a Viking, the Viking flag should fly half mast that day. What a great Viking! It was fun watching him dominate the line for many years. Thanks Big Ticket!

Well said

[CbusVikesFan]

Well said

Thank you.
Kevin's situation unfortunately happens all to often and is one of my least favorite things about the NFL. Watching your most tenured favorite player leave for another team for a year or two and THEN retire, is nonsense. I understand the business side of it, but on the fan side of the coin, there should be a stipulation a player with a certain number of years with a team, that if both sides agree, that he could not count against the cap. Or the roster, maybe. Only one player per year, max two years. Like a subcontractor. It would be a nice thing for both sides to be able to go out this way. Idk, just an idea that people can chop up, lol.

[Demi]

I'm a fan of the Minnesota Vikings.
Players, Coaches, Front Office, Owners
All come and go.

Skol VIKINGS!

[Funkytown]

I'm a fan of the Minnesota Vikings.
Players, Coaches, Front Office, Owners
All come and go.

Skol VIKINGS!

Well, yeah, sure... team > individual

Doesn't mean people can't be a little bummed to see their favorites go, ya darn Sally.

[lyzarde]

I haven't seen anything to indicate they never talked at all. Just not in a while. I'm sure the team knows exactly how much $$ Kevin's side wants, so there's no reason for them to constantly be in contact working on negotiations when they want to sign younger guys anyway.

The biggest form of respect to players is exactly what the Vikings have done recently, and that is to allow these veterans to play out their contract and collect that big payday for the last year.

Other teams are out there outright releasing long time veterans before having to pay their salary. And people are on here complaining that the Vikings aren't calling their old free agents every day?

[Mothman]

I haven't seen anything to indicate they never talked at all. Just not in a while. I'm sure the team knows exactly how much $$ Kevin's side wants, so there's no reason for them to constantly be in contact working on negotiations when they want to sign younger guys anyway.

The biggest form of respect to players is exactly what the Vikings have done recently, and that is to allow these veterans to play out their contract and collect that big payday for the last year.

Other teams are out there outright releasing long time veterans before having to pay their salary. And people are on here complaining that the Vikings aren't calling their old free agents every day?

Not a single person here is doing that.

[PurpleMustReign]

Not a single person here is doing that.

At the front end of this thread some people sure came close.

[Mothman]

At the front end of this thread some people sure came close.

Who came close? PacificNorseWest said they should keep the lines of communication open. Nobody has suggesting anything like daily updates.