If any NFL team is looking for a center, they should call the Vikings and/or the Seahawks. Minnesota is shopping John Sullivan, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link), while Seattle is trying to trade Patrick Lewis, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Sullivan, 31, has long been on the league’s more underrated pivots, as though he’s never been named an All Pro or Pro Bowler, he’s been considered among the top centers in the NFL. Until last season, he had started at least 14 games in every season since 2009. Sullivan missed all of 2015 due to injury, and veteran Joe Berger performed like a top-five center in his stead. Given that Berger is much cheaper, it makes sense that the Vikings are trying to trade away Sullivan and his $5.4MM base salary.
Lewis, meanwhile, isn’t the caliber of player that is Sullivan, but he did start nine games for the Seahawks last season. Seattle has been reshuffling its offensive line, and Justin Britt, who was formerly both a tackle and a guard, is now set to move to the middle, and early reports on the transition have been glowing. Lewis is entering the final year of his deal, and will earn $1.671MM for 2016.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.