With free agency rapidly approach, the Minnesota Vikings will be weighing all their options ahead of the 2020 NFL season. As a result, they have opted to usher in some significant turnover to their defense.

The team announced via their official website that they have released cornerback Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph:

The Minnesota Vikings on Friday terminated the contracts of veteran defensive tackle Linval Joseph and cornerback Xavier Rhodes.

Both players have long served as integral pieces of this formidable Vikings' defense. However, it appears the team will now be left with a couple of notable voids to fill this offseason.

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Joseph signed a five-year deal with Minnesota prior to the 2014 campaign. Although he produced modest sack numbers, he served as the anchor of the defensive as a stalwart against the run and his 303 tackles over the last five seasons are the second-most by any player at is position during that span.

Joseph had been rewarded with a four-year, $50 million contract extension in 2017 for is efforts. Regardless, it appears Minnesota has opted to go in a different direction following a disappointing showing for the team in the 2019 NFL season.

The 31-year-old will now have an opportunity to test the market for the first time since his rookie deal expired with the New York Giants and immediately becomes one of the best interior lineman available. It is safe to say that a player of Joseph's caliber will generate plenty of interest on the market from teams looking to fortify their defensive line.