The Facts: Simpson set a career high last season for receiving yards and was two catches shy of his best season ever in that category. So what then happened in free agency? His salary was cut by more than half. "I can't lie. I was definitely surprised that I get paid less than what I got last year," Simpson said Wednesday. "I had my best numbers. But I guess when you got that negative thing on you, they kind of got you behind the 8-ball."
Diehards Line:
The Vikings wide receiver was arrested last November on suspicion of DWI and eventually pleaded guilty to two lesser charges. It was his second brush with the law in two years, and played a role in his salary being cut from $2.1 million in 2013 to $1 million for his third straight one-year deal with Minnesota. Simpson ranked second on the team in 2013, his sixth season in the NFL, with 48 receptions and with 726 yards. He received a $500,000 signing bonus when he got a new contract last year, but he has no guaranteed money in his latest deal. "I know I'm worth more than what (his current contract) was," Simpson said. "But I made my bed, so I got to lay in it. ..." Whether Simpson will be able to play in the regular-season opener Sept. 7 at St. Louis remains to be seen. The NFL has yet to announce any possible penalties regarding the plea bargain he accepted last January. After his arrest last season, Simpson lost his starting job to rookie Cordarrelle Patterson, although that might have happened eventually anyway since Patterson was improving each week. With Greg Jennings being Minnesota's leading returning receiver, Simpson probably is again in line to not start.