Warning: mysqli_query(): (HY000/1030): Got error 28 from storage engine in /home/sportsun/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 1942

The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly offered wide receiver Sidney Rice a long-term contract, but his agent says Rice won’t sign before testing the free agent waters. How soon Rice can do that and if he will be a restricted or unrestricted free agent all depends on when the NFL and the players union can agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

NFL free agency is supposed to begin Friday, but if the sides can’t agree on a CBA, the owners will lock out the players and free agency will be on hold until a new agreement is reached. Rice has played four seasons in the NFL, all with the Vikings, and his restricted/unrestriced status will be determined by the new CBA.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier told the Star-Tribune that he had recently spoken with Rice and says “he wants to be a Viking and I hope we can get things worked out.” Rice had a breakout year and made the Pro Bowl in 2009, but last season, hip surgery limited him to just six games.

The Vikings could have used their franchise tag on Rice, but instead chose to use it on linebacker Chad Greenway, a five-year veteran. Still, Frazier says Rice “is a high, high priority, and I didn’t want him to be sensitive about the fact that it was Chad being franchised instead of Sidney. That does not mean that we’re not going to do right by Sidney, but we couldn’t franchise both of them. We want to get Sidney signed and take care of him, because he’s going to take care of our football team.”