A Look at Where Vikings’ Contracts Rank Compared to Other NFL Stars: Defense
Over the past couple years, the Minnesota Vikings have handed out some contracts that, at the time, were massive and sometimes historic.
However, where exactly do those contracts rank now that many of them have been in place for a year or two at this point? Well, here is a look at exactly where many of Minnesota’s stars on defense rank in terms of average salary at their positions.
Related: A Look at Where Vikings’ Contracts Rank among Other NFL Stars: Offense
OLB Jonathan Greenard
- Average Salary per Year: $19 million
- Contract Rank: 16th
Jonathan Greenard signed a big four-year contract with the Vikings worth $76 million last offseason after a breakout season with the Texans in 2023.
Despite some questions of whether or not Greenard would be able to replace Danielle Hunter’s production on defense, the relationship worked out fabulously for the Vikings and Greenard. He recorded 12 more sacks and a career-high 18 tackles for loss while being named to his first Pro Bowl. Not a bad deal for a player who is not even among the top-15 highest paid edge rushers.
OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
- Average Salary per Year: $23 million
- Contract Rank: 11th
Andrew Van Ginkel signed a new one-year, $23 million extension this offseason that will keep in purple through the 2026 season. It comes after he joined Greenard as a Pro Bowler in his first year with the Vikings as a do-it-all player at the outside linebacker spot.
Van Ginkel filled his stat sheet in 2024, totaling 18 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, six passes defended, two pick-sixes, and a forced fumble.
DT Jonathan Allen
- Average Salary per Year: $17 million
- Contract Rank: T-15th
Jonathan Allen missed the majority of 2024 with a torn pec, but he was able to return to the field at the end of the season for the Washington Commanders’ playoff run. Now, he hopes to shore up Minnesota’s interior defensive line by being a big playmaker in pass defense.
At his best, Allen has been one of the most fearsome defensive tackles in the league, making Pro Bowl appearances in both 2021 and 2022. Perhaps a loaded Vikings defensive front will help him get back to that elite level of play.
DT Javon Hargrave
- Average Salary per Year: $15 million
- Contract Rank: T-18th
Like Allen, Javon Hargrave missed most of 2024 before signing with the Vikings this offseason. Also like Allen though, Hargrave has a track record of being a ferocious pass rusher in the middle of a defensive line.
The former 2016 third-round pick recorded three consecutive seasons of 7+ sacks before his injury in 2024. If he gets back to that form, $15 million per year for Hargrave is more than worth it.
LB Blake Cashman
- Average Salary per Year: $7.5 million
- Contract Rank: 14th
Blake Cashman was yet another success story from Minnesota’s group of free agent signings in 2024. He started all 14 games he appeared in last season and recorded career-highs in tackles, sacks, and passes defended.
Cashman remains under contract through the 2026 season, and he likely will garner a large payday when he hits free agency in the spring of 2027.
LB Ivan Pace
- Average Salary per Year: $905,000
- Contract Rank: 78th
Ivan Pace went from being an undrafted free agent signing in 2023 to immediately being a difference maker in the Vikings defense. As a result, the Vikings get one more year of his contract being one of the biggest bargains in the entire NFL.
Assuming he continues to use his athleticism and physicality to be a menace as a run defender and pass rusher, that will all change come next offseason.
CB Byron Murphy
- Average Salary per Year: $18 million
- Contract Rank: T-14th
Byron Murphy turned in one of the best seasons for a Vikings cornerback in recent memory, which earned him a new three-year contract worth $54 million. Minnesota will need him to be a cornerstone in their secondary once again this season given the uncertainty at the cornerback position heading into training camp.
S Harrison Smith
- Average Salary per Year: $5.125 million
- Contract Rank: 32nd
Harrison Smith easily could be using the twilight years of his career to cash in on the biggest paydays possible. Instead, he has done whatever is needed to remain in purple and gold, and he is now entering his 14th season as a member of the Vikings. We’ll see what type of magic the 36-year-old has left in store for fans this upcoming season.
S Josh Metellus
- Average Salary per Year: $4 million
- Contract Rank: T-38th
This very well could change in the coming weeks if Metellus gets a well-earned contract extension from the Vikings, but for now, he is still on the cheaper end for veteran starting safeties in the NFL.
The former special teamer has blossomed into a jack-of-all-trades defender, lining up all over the field for Minnesota over the past couple seasons. Minnesota may need him to play a bit more of a conventional safety role without Camryn Bynum around, but Brian Flores likely will continue to break out intricate lineups for his linebacker-safety hybrid.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, Over the Cap and Spotrac helped with this article.
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