Vikings Lose $56 Million Star to Rival or Super Bowl Contender

Minnesota Vikings left tackle Cam Robinson can be credited with saving the team’s season — but he’s likely to move on from Minnesota next season. Robinson arrived in Minnesota in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick at the NFL trade deadline. He replaced starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8. The Vikings wavered coming out of the Week 6 bye, dropping back-to-back losses to the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. The move for Robinson salvaged the season, but he’s poised to secure a big-money contract elsewhere. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Jan. 29 that Robinson is a name to keep an eye on for the Kansas City Chiefs and Rams in free agency.

Robinson quite possibly played his way above the $20-million-per-year threshold,” Fowler wrote. “The Rams and Chiefs are among teams that could be looking for left tackle help. And a return to Minnesota isn’t totally off the table, after the Vikings traded for Robinson at midseason.” Related: $52 Million Pro Bowler Puts Pressures on Vikings Robinson becoming a candidate for two Super Bowl contenders comes to the chagrin of the Vikings, who, according to Fowler, are still vying for Robinson. Paying Robinson would be a head-scratcher after the Vikings signed Darrisaw to a four-year, $104 million deal worth $26 million a year in July.

However, Darrisaw is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL and may not be ready to start Week 1.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) projected Robinson to secure a three-year, $56 million deal as the No. 2 tackle and 17th-ranked free agent overall.

While re-signing Robinson is not “off the table” in Minnesota, the Vikings would likely want him on a one-year deal as insurance for Darrisaw. With his expected market, it’ll prove difficult to convince Robinson to stay.