Pay cut will make it easier for Vikings to keep Michael Jenkins

A pay cut might make it much easier for Michael Jenkins to make the final cut with the Minnesota Vikings.

The veteran wide receiver has taken a substantial trim, according to Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, agreeing to cut his base pay from $2.5 million to $1 million this season. Jenkins, a former first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons, signed a $9 million, three-year contract with the Vikings after the lockout ended last summer.

The 30-year-old isn’t going to anchor any corps of wide receivers, but he can be helpful for quarterback Christian Ponder. Jenkins could be a contributor as a possession receiver.

While this move doesn’t guarantee Jenkins a spot on the roster, clubs typically don’t approach players about pay cuts and then release them. So, it’s a pretty good sign for the veteran.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune