Known throughout the offseason to be on the Vikings’ roster bubble, Lewis Cine has indeed been let go. The third-year safety was released on Tuesday, as noted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 
Minnesota held trade talks regarding Cine, Fowler adds. To little surprise, however, no suitor was found and as a result the Georgia alum will hit the waiver wire. It will be interesting to see if any teams put in a claim knowing it is now no longer necessary to acquire him using draft capital.
Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that “several teams” showed interest in Cine earlier today. That could lead to a number of potential suitors submitting a waiver claim. The priority for waiver moves is determined by 2023 regular season standings for cutdowns through the first three weeks of the regular season. In the event Cine, 24, were to go unclaimed, he would become a free agent.
After a strong college career, expectations were high for Cine entering the NFL. The final first-round pick of the 2022 draft class was limited to just three games during his rookie season due to a broken leg, though. Last season, he only made seven appearances and logged just eight defensive snaps while playing a special teams role. Minnesota has a number of other safeties ahead of Cine on the depth chart, and instead of another campaign in a minor capacity he will turn his attention to a fresh start.
Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus and Camryn Bynum are among the players set to log a heavy workload on the backend for the Vikings this season. Cine will be in a new setting by Week 1 as he attempts to carve out a defensive role and live up to his draft stock.