“No Rush” on Vikings’ Next Huge Extension
If you enjoyed following Justin Jefferson’s recent contract extension saga — many did not — you’re in luck because the process will soon be repeated with Christian Darrisaw.
“No Rush” on Vikings’ Next Huge Extension
The phenom left tackle enters Year No. 4 this season, prime territory for extension talks to heat up, just like Jefferson last year at this time. And before too long, Darrisaw will land a gargantuan deal, but the Vikings evidently aren’t in a rush to finalize the agreement anytime soon.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis opined on the topic in an article this week, and while Minnesota will obviously prioritize the deal, there is no rush, generally speaking. “Darrisaw is eligible for an extension, and the Vikings certainly want to keep him around for the long haul. The question is: Can the two sides find common ground with two seasons still remaining on Darrisaw’s rookie contract? General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has explained that extensions after three seasons of a rookie contract are hard to come by,” he wrote.
Darrisaw’s representation and the Vikings’ front office have reportedly already begun the exploratory chats of an extension, and when the time arrives, the young lineman’s contract will probably be the largest for an offensive tackle in NFL history.
Lewis added, “The team and player must work through old money, new money and overall length. There is no rush here, like there was no rush with the Vikings in their extension for Jefferson. However, Darrisaw is now represented by superagent Drew Rosenhaus, who has an exceptional relationship with the Vikings.”
For now, Detroit Lions lineman Penei Sewell owns the honor of the league’s highest-paid offensive tackle (he plays right tackle), signing a four-year, $112 million deal a couple of months ago. Yet, based on how the NFL salary cap constantly escalates — see: Jefferson’s one month ago — Darrisaw could check just over Sewell’s numbers, somewhere in the neighborhood of four years and $112-114 million.
Darrisaw still hasn’t fetched his first Pro Bowl nod — a bizarre thing — but will still break the bank within the next 12 months. It’s always the same situation for the Virginia Tech alumnus who has established himself as a premiere left tackle. Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, and Sewell received the honor over Darrisaw in 2023, and as a fourth alternate, Darrisaw got no official love from voters.
Pro Football Focus ranked Darrisaw as the eighth-best offensive tackle in 2023, and his consistency is top-notch. The only knock on Darrisaw is injury — he’s missed 18% of his career games due to various ailments.
But Darrisaw is for sure next on the Vikings’ long-term list, and if Jefferson’s recent extension is a reasonable indicator, fans will probably discuss Darrisaw’s next deal for the next 8-12 months.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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