Johnson was released by the Vikings on Friday, ESPN's Adam Caplan reports. Johnson has 115 NFL starts to his name, including 14 from the 2014 season. Despite having the benefit on continuity, Minnesota's offensive line was quietly among the league's most disappointing units in 2014.

Vikings re-signed LG Charlie Johnson to a two-year, $2.5 million contract.

Vikings GM Rick Spielman said he would like to re-sign free agent LG Charlie Johnson. Johnson has started 47-of-48 games the past three seasons for the Vikings, but won't be guaranteed the left guard job if he re-signs. He graded out negatively in both run blocking and pass protection last year, and is best suited for a "swing" role. Johnson turns 30 this offseason and should be limited to one-year deals.

Vikings LG Charlie Johnson's contract has voided, making him a free agent. Johnson, 30 in May, restructured his deal last offseason, which gave the Vikings cap relief and allowed Johnson to hit the open market this spring. He's started 47-of-48 games the past three seasons but is a bit undersized at 6-foot-4, 305. Johnson's ability to play both tackle and guard should help out his market. He's best suited for a "swing" role or part of a "jumbo" package.

Vikings LG Charlie Johnson (elbow) expects to return for Week 11. Johnson missed last Thursday's win over the Redskins. Joe Berger filled in at left guard. Johnson has graded out well-below average in Pro Football Focus' ratings this season.

Vikings LG Charlie Johnson has agreed to restructure his contract. The new deal lowers Johnson's base salary by $500,000 and reduces his 2013 cap number to $3.85 million. While it doesn't give the Vikings much financial relief, it's a necessary move after Johnson vastly underperformed last season. He could face competition for his starting job.

Vikings LG Charlie Johnson is a candidate for release. Johnson has started all 32 games since joining the Vikings prior to the 2011 season, making 16 starts at left tackle and 16 starts at left guard after the team drafted Matt Kalil. Johnson is due a $500,000 roster bonus on March 16, in addition to a $2.95 million base salary in the final year of his deal.

Vikings GM Rick Spielman made it clear that Charlie Johnson will move to left guard now that Matt Kalil is taking over as the left tackle. It's a no-brainer. Kalil is a prototypical blindside protector while Johnson struggled to keep edge rushers away from Christian Ponder last season. Johnson is adequate on the interior, but he's still a downgrade from Steve Hutchinson.

NFL Network's Mike Lombardi fully expects the Vikings to draft a left tackle with the No. 3 overall pick. "They're not gonna go back with Charlie Johnson at left tackle," Lombardi insisted. "They'll pass on a receiver in order to get the left tackle. They can't block anybody." Christian Ponder has been oft-injured dating back to college, and the Vikings are well positioned to get Matt Kalil or Riley Reiff, the latter of whom is Mike Mayock's top-rated left tackle for 2012. Lombardi points out that Jeff Fisher and Mike Shanahan are "very close," and if there is a trade in the top five, he expects it to involve the Redskins and the Rams.

The Vikings are expected to consider moving LT Charlie Johnson to guard in 2012. He sounds open to it. "As long as I'm in the lineup and playing on Sunday and helping this team win it doesn't matter," said Johnson. Johnson is a well below-average left tackle, but was much better at left guard in 2008 with the Colts. Moving Johnson would allow the Vikings to target a blind-side upgrade in the draft or free agency. The Vikes should have a shot at USC LT Matt Kalil with the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft.