Jerome Felton didn't wait on the Minnesota Vikings to decide his future.
The veteran fullback watched as his role diminished last season, evaluated the possibilities with Minnesota and didn't wait for the Vikings to decide whether they wanted to release him, instead promptly declined his option for an extra year of his Vikings contract.
Getting the jump on an NFL team isn't always an alternative. Felton's tenure with the Vikings demonstrates how quickly feelings change in the NFL.
Felton earned his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2012 and looked to be a foundation piece with Adrian Peterson in the backfield. He signed a three-year contract extension in the 2013 offseason for $7.5 million. Then Peterson missed all but one game last season and Felton was on the sideline increasingly more as Minnesota went with one-back sets.
Other players don't have the choice Felton made.
Before the new league year begins in March, veterans around the NFL are on notice as teams clear salary-cap space in February for free-agent and contract extension spending. Tampa Bay released quarterback Josh McCown on Wednesday one year after he signed a two-year, $10 million contract. Indianapolis released safety LaRon Landry.
A few other Vikings veteran players could be in a similar situation as Felton, without the option of determining their own fate. Here's a look at a few potential cap casualties for Minnesota:
RB Adrian Peterson
2015 salary cap number: $15.4 million
2015 dead money, if released: $2.4 million
In many ways, the Vikings entire offseason hinges on Peterson's status. Felton's standing, no doubt, was impacted by Peterson's absence last season. Peterson told reporters "of course" he wants to return to Minnesota after leaving a Minneapolis court room last week for a hearing in his battle against the NFL regarding his current suspension. Vikings owner Mark Wilf said Wednesday the team "would love" to have Peterson back.
So what are the possibilities?
Looking past Peterson's current suspension -- which could end by April 15 -- there is a lot at play regarding Peterson. The public backlash after he was indicted for injuring his 4-year-old son has likely softened with time. No doubt there would be many fans eager to accept Peterson's return.
But Minnesota also has to weigh the $15.4 million cap figure for a running back who will be 30 years old before next season begins. The offense already started to transform under rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater last year. Peterson had 21 carries for 75 yards in his only game last season.
Peterson is the team's all-time leading rusher and a beloved figure during his eight-year tenure with the Vikings. Pairing Peterson with Bridgewater in the backfield is an intriguing mix.
In the end, releasing Peterson is the most unlikely of three possible outcomes. Perhaps Minnesota could trade the still-dynamic runner. Or perhaps the Vikings' leadership of general manager Rick Spielman, head coach Mike Zimmer and the Wilfs really do want Peterson back and a reunion is enjoyed.
WR Greg Jennings
2015 salary cap number: $11 million
2015 dead money, if released: $6 million
Another case of treasured asset to possible dispensable player. Jennings signed a five-year, $45 million contract with Minnesota to add a big-name, productive receiver to the offense. Jennings has served just two years of the contract.
The high cap figure might be the one reason Jennings is a possibility if the Vikings are looking to save money. While he hasn't lived up to the big contract or his billing as a top receiver coming out of the Green Bay Packers' offensive system, Jennings is still a contributor. He has looked his best when Minnesota has had capable quarterback play, as well.
Jennings led the Vikings with 59 catches for 742 yards and six receiving touchdowns last year. He owns a high cap figure, but Minnesota isn't brimming with standout talent at receiver either. Charles Johnson, who was signed off the Browns' practice squad in September, emerged as the go-to receiver late in the year for the Vikings. Cordarrelle Patterson had a disappointing season and his breakthrough can't be counted on, at this point. Jarius Wright is a capable receiver.
Minnesota could look to draft a wide receiver, possibly with the No. 11 overall pick. The Vikings could also look to free agency. If they were to sign a free agent, especially at an expensive cost, it could seal Jennings fate.
He might not ever return to the production he achieved in Green Bay, but Jennings can still be a complementary piece to an offense. With Bridgewater needing as many weapons as possible -- and Jennings costing as much in dead money as he would save the team -- its likely Jennings returns.
LB Chad Greenway
2015 salary cap number: $8.8 million
2015 dead money, if released: $1.7 million
Peterson, Jennings and Greenway currently constitute the three biggest yearly contracts for the Vikings in 2015. Greenway becomes a difficult call for sentimental reasons. But Spielman has also shown he will make the difficult business decisions.
Greenway, 32, has slowed after nine years with Minnesota. His string of 115 consecutive games played was snapped last season due to a broken rib and he was limited to 12 games. He finished with 93 tackles, snapping his streak of six straight seasons leading the team in tackles.
Zimmer has said he'd like to have Greenway back. Greenway said he'd like to make at least 10 years with the Vikings. Loyalty, from both men, is important. But can Greenway still be a viable starter on an improving defense and is he worth a $8.8 million salary cap hit?
Zimmer said he still thinks Greenway can be a starter. Greenway said he will play somewhere in the NFL next season.
"You don't know the situation, how it's going to happen and what's going to happen," Greenway said at the end of the season. "You've got to just take it one day at a time. Obviously I'll be in here rehabbing and trying to get healthy first. So, yeah, it's a little weird I guess. But it's a forever changing league and business and guys have to roll with it."
Greenway quietly restructured his contract last offseason. He sounded willing to explore another restructure to stay in Minnesota. Because of Greenway's value as a leader in the locker room, another restructure and one more season with the Vikings is a likely scenario.
LG Charlie Johnson
2015 salary cap number: $2.5 million
2015 dead money, if released: None
If there is one player likely to be released, it's Johnson. The veteran offensive linemen has served Minnesota in several roles since coming aboard in 2011 and done what the coaching staff has asked. He's a quiet, but well-liked player in the locker room.
However, he will be 31 before the season begins. Spielman has shown a willingness to keep his roster young and 30 has become the magical age in the NFL in which players are often seen as over-the-hill. While his $2.5 million cap number isn't egregious, Johnson has struggled the past couple seasons and wouldn't count against the salary cap if he was released.
The Vikings will look to possibly upgrade along the offensive line and the most likely position is at left guard in place of Johnson. Perhaps David Yankey, who will be going into his second season, can show enough to take the position. Or Minnesota could look to the draft or free agency. Longtime, versatile backup Joe Berger is a free agent, though he could possibly return.
Johnson is the likeliest of the Vikings' salary-cap casualties before free agency spending begins.
CB Captain Munnerlyn
2015 salary cap number: $3.83 million
2015 dead money, if released: $666,667
There have been plenty of instances in the NFL of big free-agent signing to cap casualty in one year. Munnerlyn underperformed in his first season in Minnesota last year and even said he needs to listen to the coaching staff a bit more.
Munnerlyn made 61 tackles, had two interceptions and five pass deflections while playing in all 16 games. He acknowledged he performed below his expectations, and like the team's expectations. He even spoke about the reality of his situation and the possibility of being released when the season ended. But he expected to be back.
"It's a year-to-year league but I'm sure I'll be back," Munnerlyn said after the season ended. "I just got to have more production next year. That's what the league is about. It's about production. If you're not producing, it's hard to pay somebody that's not producing. So I just got to evaluate my situation, in the offseason work even harder and come back ready."
Cutting Munnerlyn could save the Vikings some money. But if Munnerlyn rises to the level he played at in Carolina, he is worth his $3.83 million figure. Like Jennings at receiver, Minnesota isn't stocked at cornerback anyway. Munnerlyn is still a complementary player behind Xavier Rhodes in the secondary. Expect Minnesota to give Munnerlyn one more year to prove himself.
QB Matt Cassel
2015 salary cap number: $4.75 million
2015 dead money, if released: none
Matt Cassel is on this list only because of his age -- 33 before next season begins -- and cap number. Each factor is a small consideration to what Cassel might be able to bring to the Vikings.
Bridgewater has seized the starting quarterback job for the foreseeable future. Cassel would be returning in a backup role. The proud veteran would prefer to start but he also likely knows his situation well. When he signed a new two-year contract last offseason, Cassel knew then Minnesota would be adding a young quarterback to one day take his job. A foot injury just accelerated the timeline.
By all accounts, Cassel has been a good teammate even when in a backup role and he provides a veteran presence behind Bridgewater. Cassel can aid Bridgewater's development as a mentor. And if Bridgewater was to get injured, Cassel provides a steady backup who could keep the Vikings competitive.
The $4.75 million salary cap number is of little significance as well. It's not a big figure and Minnesota isn't paying Bridgewater, who is on his rookie contract, very much as a starter. If the Vikings were to release Cassel, they would still need to pay another quarterback with Christian Ponder all but done in Minnesota. The savings would be minimal, if any.
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