Vikings defensive end Brian Robison accepted a pay cut in order to return for another season, according to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune (on Twitter). Robison was initially scheduled to make $3.5MM this season, but he’ll now make a base salary of just $1.015MM, plus a $90K workout bonus. 
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Robison’s pay cut opens up $2.38MM in new cap space for Minnesota. Somehow, after an offseason which saw the additions of quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, the Vikings have $17.1MM in cap room. The Vikings will try to use that flexibility to extend standouts like linebacker Anthony Barr, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and defensive end Danielle Hunter.
After the season, Robison wouldn’t guarantee that he would return for another year. Last week, he affirmed that he would come back for his 12th campaign. Although he started in six straight seasons for the Vikings, he’ll come off of the bench for a second consecutive year in 2018 as he supports Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter.
Despite playing in a reserve role, Robison still logged 642 snaps in 2017.
Freed up cash to sign Mychal Kendricks and Richie Incognito
Kendricks would be an awfully expensive piece of depth, and what role would he fill? Run defender? Pass coverage?
Incognito makes more sense from an on-the-filed perspective, but he’s on a psych hold. Zimmer’s dealth with players with off-the-field baggage, and the Vikes have signed or drafted some players with such baggage this off-season, but Incognito might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, especially when you consider that Alex Boone, who has no off-the-field concerns that I can think of off the top of my head – was cut last off-season in part because of his personality not fitting the locker room in general and the offensive line in particular.