The one expected salary-cap maneuver for the Minnesota Vikings became reality Friday.
Minnesota announced it terminated the contract of offensive lineman Charlie Johnson. Johnson, 30, was due to make $2.45 million in base salary in 2015 in the final year of his contract. Johnson's release frees up the full $2.45 million as he doesn't carry any dead money against the salary cap.
The Vikings now will be looking for a new left guard. Johnson had started all 61 games he played in four seasons with Minnesota. He started 16 games as a left tackle in 2011 before sliding inside to guard when the team drafted Matt Kalil.
Johnson started 14 games last season, missing two games with an ankle injury. Vladimir Ducasse, a pending unrestricted free agent, started both games in Johnson's place.
The Vikings could look to free agency or the draft to fill Johnson's spot. Minnesota also has fifth-round draft pick David Yankey coming off a rookie season in which he didn't play in a regular-season game and undrafted free agent Austin Wentworth.
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