Steve

Hutchinson

The injury will render the Pro Bowler day-to-day. Hutchinson tried to continue playing after suffering the injury Sunday, but was unable to.

The Titans had made it clear since the offseason began that upgrading the interior of the offensive line was a priority. There may be more to the story, though. ESPN’s John Clayton suggests Hutchinson may have picked Tennessee over a return to Seattle because of the Peyton Manning connection. The veterans share an agent in Tom Condon. Even at age 34, Hutchinson is a major upgrade on Jake Scott and Leroy Harris at guard.

Hutchinson is 34 years old and has a base salary of $6.95 million. “I know what the cap situation is and all that, but it’s out of my control,” he said. “Any player has to worry about that in the NFL.” Hutchinson still plans to continue his playing career after finishing the 2011 season on I.R. with a concussion.

Hutchinson and Herrera have been the Vikings’ starting guards since 2007, with Hutchinson starting 89 of a possible 96 games since being signed away from the Seahawks in 2006. Herrera signed as an undrafted free agent in 2004. Hutchinson was due $7 million going into his age-35 season, while Herrera was set to make $2.75 million between salary and bonuses. Hutchinson’s entire salary will come off the books, while Herrera will count less than $1 million against the cap. Hutchinson graded out as one of the league’s best guards in 2011 by Pro Football Focus, and could be welcomed back at a lower salary depending on how his market unfolds.

Tennessee has made it a priority to upgrade the interior of the offensive line, and Hutchinson proved to be an asset at age 33 last season. That was the plan on offense even before the team began flirting with free agent Peyton Manning.

It was nearly six years ago to the day that the Vikings infamously lured Hutchinson away from the Seahawks via a front-loaded “poison-pill” deal, but apparently time heals all wounds. Hutchinson has also visited with the Titans.

There is believed to be a “significant gap” in a possible restructure. If Hutchinson is released, beat writer Tom Pelissero knows of at least one time that will attempt to sign him. The Vikes brass will meet Saturday to discuss the futures of Hutchinson, RG Anthony Herrera, and CB Cedric Griffin.

The Titans have made it no secret that they want to improve their interior run blocking this year. Though he’s now 34, Hutchinson remains solid in pass protection in the late-career vein of Alan Faneca. He’s no longer a top-flight run blocker, though. In Nashville, Hutchinson could replace outgoing RG Jake Scott.

Griffin was set to make $4.1 million after struggling in 2011, but ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports the Vikes hope to re-sign him at a lower salary. Between the release of Griffin and guards Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera, the Vikings have cleared roughly $13 million in cap space. Griffin was an asset against the run last season, but struggled in coverage and with penalties. His release speaks volumes about his play since the Vikings could be without CB Chris Cook in 2012 depending on the outcome of his domestic assault trial.

Hutchinson has told teammates that he intends to retire after his contract runs out in 2013. Due $7 million in salary and bonuses, Hutchinson will have to rip up that final year if he wants to continue in Minnesota. On a positive note, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ fourth-ranked left guard at age 34.