We noted this morning that Jerome Simpson was not happy that he was not active for Sunday’s game against the Redskins, in part because Simpson’s contract pays him $59,375 per game that he’s among the Vikings’ 46 active players. Today Simpson articulated his anger.
“You lose $60,000 you’d be mad, too,” Simpson told reporters. “I’m just a competitor, man. I just want to be out there on the field. Any time something is getting taken away from you, obviously you’re going to be upset about it.”
Simpson added that he had spoken with coach Leslie Frazier and that they’re “on the same page,” but Simpson isn’t hiding the fact that he’s unhappy.
“That makes you mad,” Simpson said. “It’s nothing personal against [Frazier]. He’s just doing what’s best for the team.”
Simpson made clear that his anger isn’t going to detract from his contributions to the team.
“I’m fired up regardless of the situation. I try to take the same approach every week,” Simpson said. “I’m a play maker. So I’m going to make big plays. I’m just going to go out there, be Jerome Simpson, make plays.”
The Vikings and Simpson specifically agreed to a contract that would pay him based on how much he contributes, so in that respect it’s perfectly fair that he’s losing money if he isn’t on the field. But it’s also not surprising that Simpson is mad about it.
