The Vikings checked an offseason priority off the list this morning, as ESPN.com’s Field Yates reports that Chad Greenway has agreed to take a pay cut. The linebacker’s base salary will drop from $7MM to $3.4MM in 2015, with $1MM guaranteed and $600K in incentives. The move will create $3.225MM in cap space for Minnesota.
We’ve been hearing for some time that the Vikings were hoping to redo the 32-year-old’s contract, with general manager Rick Spielman recently mentioning the desire for Greenway to retire in Minnesota. The veteran battled injuries in 2014, compiling 93 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in 12 starts. He ranked 38th among 40 candidates at 4-3 linebacker by Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and the website generally hasn’t been impressed with his performance over the past four seasons.
Following a red-shirted rookie season when he tore his ACL, the former first-round pick didn’t miss a single game for the Vikings from 2007-2013. In that time, Greenway earned a pair of Pro Bowl selections as well as a spot on the All-Pro team.