Titans claim Randy Moss, saving Vikings nearly $3.4 million

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Acquiring Randy Moss cost the Minnesota Vikings a third-round draft pick. Cutting him won't prove as costly, at least at the bank.

The Tennessee Titans claimed Moss off waivers on Wednesday, getting the Vikings off the hook for the remaining $3,388,235 of his 2010 base salary.

Because Moss is a vested veteran, he could have collected the rest of his salary from the Vikings if no one had claimed him. Instead, the Titans inherit Moss' contract, which expires after the season. 

The Vikings paid Moss 4/17ths of his $6.4 million base salary, or $1.506 million, for four games in which they lost three times and Moss had 13 catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Vikings hadn't made a move to fill the roster spot vacated by Moss. They activated Sidney Rice from the reserve/physically unable to perform list on Wednesday, but the Vikings have a three-week roster exemption before they have to count him against the 53-man roster or put him on injured reserve.

As NFL sources had indicated all week, the market for Moss was thin. The Titans were the only team to put in a claim.

Tom Pelissero is Senior Editor and columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and co-hosts from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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