Fansided

Minnesota Vikings won’t bring Eric Decker home

By Corey Francis

May 23, 2017; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) runs with the ball during organized team activities at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) runs with the ball during organized team activities at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Vikings are looking at all options to help their team. Bringing free agent received Eric Decker back to his home state is not an option.

Who said you can’t go home? The Minnesota Vikings just did to free agent receiver Eric Decker, according to Profootball Talk. But, when you look at the numbers, you are left scratching your head as to the decision.

The now 30-year old Decker was born in Cold Springs, MN, just northwest of Minneapolis. And, he attended the University of Minnesota, where he is the schools top receiver in their history. Those ideas alone warrant thorough investigation into signing the receiver.

But, apparently this is a football decision as well, which only clears the waters more into why the Vikings are not interested. In 2016, the receiving corps of the Vikings ranked 26th in the National Football League. The team was 17th overall in yards, but only scored 20 touchdowns. That’s alright but far from what you’d define as a top-tier unit.

Three receivers obtained 800 or more yards for the Vikings: Adam Thielen (967), Stefon Diggs (903), and tight end Kyle Rudolph (840). Additionally, the entire corps fumbled one time all season. To say the full receiving corps is solid would be accurate. The addition of Michael Floyd should bolster the position even more.

So, when the Vikings say they are confident in their receiving corps, there is good reason to understand why. Still, Decker is a home-grown, high performing target. In his first two years with the New York Jets, Decker racked up as many yards in less catches as he did with Peyton Manning in Denver. And that was with the rotation witness-protection program knows as Jets quarterbacks.

Several options are still in play for the veteran Decker. With the openings within the Baltimore Ravens, interest there should be high. He could even stay in division and play for the Buffalo Bills.

Next: 5 potential landing spots for Eric Decker

So, maybe he can’t go back home, but Eric Decker will find a new one.

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