The Vikings released veteran safety Taylor Mays this morning.
The Vikings signed Mays, who played for coach Mike Zimmer in Cincinnati, to a one-year contract in March. But Mays, based on the organized team activities open to the media this spring, was buried on the depth chart.
Robert Blanton, who started 13 games at safety last season, has been back with fellow safety Harrison Smith and the first-team defense. Andrew Sendejo, who made three starts last year, and second-year safety Antone Exum received the majority of the snaps with the second unit.
A second-round pick of the 49ers in 2010, Mays joined the Bengals in 2011 and played 50 games for them, mostly as a backup. He had a significant role as a sub-package defender with Zimmer as his defensive coordinator.
"It wasn't working out," Zimmer said. "It just wasn't working out."
The Vikings have six safeties on the roster now following Mays' release.
Mays signed a $795,000 contract, but only $25,000 of it was guaranteed.
In five NFL seasons, Mays made 98 tackles, recorded one sack and forced one fumble. He broke up six passes and has yet to pick off a pass.
