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Detroit Lions Free Agency: Riley Reiff Signing with Vikings

By Zac Snyder

Dec 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Kasim Edebali (91) with Lions tackle Riley Reiff (71) also in the play in the first quarter of the game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Kasim Edebali (91) with Lions tackle Riley Reiff (71) also in the play in the first quarter of the game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions upgraded at right tackle with Ricky Wagner, but Riley Reiff isn’t going far after agreeing with the Minnesota Vikings.

Riley Reiff’s return to the Detroit Lions was ruled out yesterday when the team agreed to terms with Ricky Wagner. Shortly after the official opening of free agency at 4 p.m. today came a reports that Reiff would be staying in the NFC North by signing with the Minnesota Vikings.

Offensive line help was an obvious need for the Vikings who suffered through injuries and poor play last season. They were also heavily involved, as were the Chicago Bears, in the pursuit of Wanger before he agreed to terms with the Lions. In the end, the Lions got the prize and the Vikings settled for the consolation prize.

It will be interesting to see where Reiff ends up on the Vikings line after playing on both the left and right side in Detroit. Financial terms were not immediately available but could give an indication of how much the Vikings view Reiff as an option on the left side.

Wagner will reportedly set the market for right tackles with a deal averaging $9 million per year. Compare that to former Vikings left tackle Matt Kalil, an average to poor performer at left tackle, who just got a deal averaging about $11 million from the Carolina Panthers.

Reiff was often solid yet unspectacular as a Lions no matter the side of the line he found himself. The Lions were able to upgrade over him at left and right tackle, but he represents an upgrade for the Vikings and he’ll get two games against the Lions per year going forward.

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