Extension Chatter for “Other” Viking Formally Begins
It’s more than just Justin Jefferson.
Extension Chatter for “Other” Viking Formally Begins
While the 24-year-old phenom Minnesota Vikings playmaker will receive a gargantuan contract extension before too long, another man has entered the chat for the same reason — Christian Darrisaw.
The Vikings drafted Darrisaw in 2021, one year after Jefferson, so everything regarding Jefferson right now can reasonably be applied to Darrisaw, at least per an extension timeline. Darrisaw has climbed the NFL’s pecking order as one of the top left tackles, and soon, extension chatter will turn white-hot, not unlike Jefferson’s situation in May 2024.
And thanks to ESPN, the Darrisaw extension chatter formally arrived this week. The sports media giant analyzed all impending deals for the league’s top stars, and Darrisaw made the cut. “Darrisaw is every bit the building block that Jefferson is, despite the imbalance in public discussion between the two. That’s the case despite the fact that Darrisaw has yet to earn an initial spot in the Pro Bowl (he was a fourth alternate in 2023), let alone an All-Pro designation,” Kevin Seifert wrote.
Darrisaw still hasn’t fetched his first Pro Bowl nod — a bizarre ordeal — but will still break the bank in a year or so. 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 Penei Sewell received the honor over Darrisaw in 2023, and as a fourth alternate, Darrisaw got no official love from voters.
Seifert continued, “Where Darrisaw stands in the NFL hierarchy of left tackles is debatable, but what’s indisputable is that the Vikings view him as a player who can hold down his position into the next decade. There have been initial talks between the sides, as would be expected, but there is no indication that a deal — which would be two years early, something that happens in relatively rare occasions — is imminent.”
With talks beginning as early as now, Darrisaw can expect to be handsomely paid around this time next year. The NFL’s highest-paid left tackle, Laremy Tunsil, earns $25 million per season, and by the time Darrisaw’s deal nears fruition, that price could be spot-on for his next deal.
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.
On the whole, however, Darrisaw is the next in line. Last offseason, tight end T.J. Hockenson grabbed his mammoth deal. This year, it’s Jefferson. Next up will be Darrisaw.
The young lineman will turn 25 this weekend.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.