George Iloka‘s one-year deal with the Vikings is worth the league minimum for his experience level ($790K), according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Iloka signed a minimum salary benefit contract with Minnesota, meaning the club will take advantage of the veteran safety’s deal on their salary cap. While Iloka will actually collect $880K ($790K in base salary plus a $90K signing bonus), the Vikings will see only $630K — the league minimum for a player with two years experience — on their cap.
It’s a incredible bargain for a starting-caliber safety, even one that was released at this stage of the year. Stagnant safety market aside, Iloka likely could have found a better price elsewhere, but Schefter reports Iloka wanted to play for his former Bengals defensive coordinator and current Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer.
Iloka figures to supplant Andrew Sendejo and start opposite Harrison Smith in the Vikings’ base defense, but all three safeties could conceivably see the field in sub packages.
I don’t see Iloka supplanting Sendejo, I think they’ll both be utilized. Sendejo actually has been surprising good but he’s had some health concerns. All I know is this strengthens an already dominant defense.
Sendejo looks like a completely different player than from 4 years ago (much better). I think Zimmer finds anyway to use both guys.
Absolutely correct, I remember a time when I was desperate for the Vikes to find a replacement for him, but he’s turned into a more than serviceable safety.
I can see Iloka playing a hybrid safety/ cover linebacker on passing downs. Zimmer has already gone on record saying they aren’t deep at linebacker so this may help on third downs. That’s if he doesn’t supplant Sendejo as the starter.
I can see him playing a hybrid safety/linebacker on passing downs. Barr has struggled with pass coverage and Hendricks gets beat by tight ends that have a more receiver build to them so Iloka could be used almost like the shift in baseball where they move everyone slightly out of position to increase the probability of a stop