The Minnesota Vikings signed wide receiver Jerome Simpson with the knowledge that he was likely to be suspended to start the NFL season. On Monday, the team officially learned the long-expected news.
The league suspended Simpson three games and fined him an additional game check for violating the NFL's policy and program for substances of abuse, according to a news release. He recently received a 15-day jail sentence and three years of probation in connection to a felony drug charge after his girlfriend signed for a large package of marijuana at his house.
Simpson is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.
Our own Brian McIntyre reported that Simpson will lose $188,235 in base salary and $178,125 in per-game active roster bonuses for a total of $366,360, citing a knowledgeable source.
Simpson, who has pulled off a number of highlight-reel grabs in organized team activities this offseason, looks headed for a starting job opposite Percy Harvin.
Simpson might just be the most overhyped player this OTA season, with many expecting a huge step forward from the annually underachieving former Cincinnati Bengals receiver. Simpson excels in non-padded practices. He'll have to wait until Week 4 of the regular season to prove he has truly turned a corner.
