Rick Spielman prefers to break vinegar than to share his personal or business strategy in a public forum. The director general of the Vikings deals with the proceedings in secret.

Past decisions often give an indication of future movements. Re-signing Sheldon Richardson and reworking Adam Thielen's existing contract, this off season seems to be a natural starting point.

The Vikings have been accustomed to locking their internal stars with expensive extensions in recent years. The organization has become a model in professional sports with regard to. Write, develop, reward.

The team handed out more big checks than the Compensing House publishing house in building a list of the best players, built to win now. A 24-17 victory over the Packers on Sunday brought another reminder, at prime time, that the organization has not finished writing big checks.

Thielen and Richardson have presented monster performances, providing further proof that they should be online for big paydays.

Rob Brzezinski, the wizard of the salary cap of the team, can expect another difficult season by trying to place the figures in a complex financial puzzle.

Thielen leads the NFL in number of catches (93), ranks second in receiving yards (1,138) and fifth in touchdown (eight). His total takes is the third highest in the history of the league in 11 games.

No broad-based NFL receiver this season has reached a level higher than Thielen's, who jumped into the conversation as "Best receiver of the league".

In terms of average salary, he ranks 49th among all major receivers, according to the website of the contract The Over The Cap, making his salary of $ 4.8 million one of the best contracts in the league compared to the production.

Thielen's historic production has triggered various escalators in its contract, bringing its value to $ 5.85 million next season.

The Vikings are likely to place their contract on the biggest receivers of the NFL, especially after rewarding Stefon Diggs for a $ 72 million five-year contract at training camp.

Per Over The Cape, 22 recipients earn an average salary of at least $ 10 million. Thielen's $ 17 million three-year extension made sense when he signed it in March 2017. He enjoyed financial security and the team maintained flexibility in waiting to see if his career would continue to progress.

This question has received a brilliant answer.

Not surprisingly, Thielen did not complain once. Or asked for anything. He applauded when Diggs signed his massive contract and diverted issues regarding his own contract with a team attitude first and foremost.

"When I signed my contract before last season, that's why I did it – because I did not want to have to worry about money," Thielen said. in August. "I did not need to worry about my contract. I just wanted to go out and play football. "

Richardson has proven himself to the organization by providing the kind of internal hug that Mike Zimmer covets through his tackle in three techniques. Richardson sacked Aaron Rodgers twice on Sunday and completed the advertised cutting edge throwers by reducing the pocket.

The Vikings signed a $ 8 million one-year contract with Richardson last March. Essentially, you have to prove everything before deciding to invest in it in the long run.

Richardson proves it.

"It's a blue-collar organization," Richardson said Monday. "One of the main reasons I love the organization is that no one is a precious asset here. No policy. They do not sometimes play their draft picks. You can pay a lot of money to a guy, [but] he will not play if he is not up to it. "

Signing all their priorities will be tricky and will likely require difficult decisions. A bit of relief: The decision of former defensive striker Sharrif Floyd to withdraw his grievance against the Vikings over his medical care has released about $ 4 million in hope funds next season.

This gives the Vikings more leeway and Brzezinski's reputation is that of a shrewd and creative negotiator.

The model of the organization is to reward players who are at their best and who reach peaks. Continuing this trend with Thielen and Richardson would be a smart business.

Chip Scoggins [email protected]