Christian Darrisaw’s Price Tag Becoming Popular Topic
Remember the Justin Jefferson contract extension saga that spanned about 18 months? Another one is on the way if it isn’t here already.
Christian Darrisaw’s Price Tag Becoming Popular Topic
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.
Per Bleacher Report, Darrisaw might check in around $28 million per season when the deal is eventually finalized. “Darrisaw’s likely average per year will land near $28 million. But, with Penei Sewell’s recent deal and the expected extension to come with Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay), Minnesota would present themselves with leverage monetarily if they are able to get a deal done sooner rather than later,” BR’s Ryan Fowler wrote this week. “Waiting for the market to reset itself following Wirfs’ expected deal could cost Minnesota more than expected.”
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 deal three weeks ago — Darrisaw could check just over Sewell’s numbers, somewhere in the neighborhood of four years and $112-114 million.
Fowler continued, “However, the team could also be playing the long game in hopes they can get a full season out of Darrisaw before opening the vault. A tricky way to approach paying a roster cornerstone, but Darrisaw’s early longevity concerns could throw a wrench into the speed of negotiations.”
Similar to Jefferson and his draft-class mate CeeDee Lamb, Darrisaw will have company, with one left tackle waiting on the other. Rashawn Slater will be right there with Darrisaw waiting on an extension, though Slater’s performance hasn’t quite tipped the scales like Darrisaw’s in the last three years.
“Paying Darrisaw seems all but a formality at this juncture, especially considering the allocation of capital to select quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the top ten in April,” Fowler concluded.
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.
And before too long, Darrisaw could be the proud owner of 28 million bucks per year if Bleacher Report‘s estimation is on target.
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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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