Vikings release Alex Boone

The Minnesota Vikings made a bit of a surprising move on Saturday, releasing starting guard Alex Boone. The Vikings reportedly asked him to take a pay cut, a year after signing a four-year, $26.8 million contract. He is a starter so it’s a surprise, but injuries and overall line ineffectiveness, coupled with the fact that he is 30 make it not entirely surprising.

Boone will likely land a deal sooner rather than later, although he likely won’t sign anywhere until after Week 1. A vested veteran on a Week 1 roster gets his contract fully guaranteed, while a veteran signed after Week 1 gets nothing guaranteed unless it’s specifically negotiated.

The 49ers have a lot of questions at the guard position, but the addition of Laken Tomlinson and Boone being better suited in a power scheme mean we likely won’t see the 49ers call him. As a vested veteran Boone can sign anywhere once his release is official at 1 p.m. PT.