Dolphins trading Mike Wallace to Vikings may affect Michael Johnson sweepstakes

A big trade happening between the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings could affect the Cincinnati Bengals' pursuit of Michael Johnson.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Dolphins are sending Mike Wallace and a seventh-round pick to Minnesota in exchange for a fifth-round pick of their own. That means Miami is sending Wallace and his cap hit in 2015 to Minnesota, which could lessen the amount of money they have to offer Johnson ins a deal as he decides between the Bengals and Vikings.

The trade will result in the Vikings losing somewhere in the neighborhood of $9 million, per Over the Cap. Prior to the move, the Vikings had just about $17 million in cap space. The Bengals had $24 million, which would almost double what the Vikings have, and thus, gives them an advantage in pursing Johnson if it comes down to who is offering more money.

In the end, this may not ultimately decide who MJ signs with, but it certainly helps the Bengals' chances of getting him.

It looked initially like the Vikings may be sending Cordarrelle Patterson to Miami, but he ended up not being part of the deal.