One Vikings Newcomer Already Drawing Terrible Reviews
The Minnesota Vikings put their foot down back in March, signing the best free-agent guard available for $88 million over five years. Nine months later, some outlets are already calling that man, Will Fries, a disappointment.
One Minnesota Vikings newcomer on the offensive line is already drawing harsh early reviews, raising concerns about the team’s investment at guard.
It’s the latest bad assessment in a season utterly loaded with bad assessments.
Vikings RG Will Fries Called a “Disappointment”
That’s $88 million in jeopardy.
CBS Sports on Fries: A Disappointment
Tucked inside an article by Zachary Pereles about offseason additions that have helped Super Bowl-contending teams, Fries got a naughty mention.
Pereles wrote this week, “Sam Darnold, the only other 2025 free agent to sign a deal with a nine-figure total value, is leading a Seahawks team that looks the part of a Super Bowl favorite. When those signings hit, they hit big. When they miss, they miss big. Will Fries has been a disappointment for a disappointing Vikings offense. Same for Dan Moore Jr. in Tennessee. Those two offensive linemen both signed contracts worth more than $80 million in total value.”
“Aaron Banks, who signed a four-year, $77 million deal with the Packers, hasn’t had his best year, either. Often a significant separator between successful offseasons and unsuccessful ones, though, is the small signings that outperform the monetary value. We’ve seen this at the most important position — Daniel Jones with the Colts this year, Darnold with the Vikings last year, Baker Mayfield with the Buccaneers the year before — but also across the roster.”
Pereles didn’t mince words one bit; he flatly called Fries a disappointment. Brutal.
The PFF Skinny
Fries has a 59.9 Pro Football Focus grade, ranking him 41st among 79 eligible guards. Not ideal.
He’s the NFL’s 12th-highest-paid guard. But he ranks No. 41 per PFF. Here’s his week-by-week grades:
- Week 1: 60.9
- Week 2: 49.8
- Week 3: 67.1
- Week 4: 59.6
- Week 5: 58.2
- Week 6: BYE
- Week 7: 55.3
- Week 8: 65.0
- Week 9: 57.3
- Week 10: 54.3
- Week 11: 77.8
- Week 12: 68.9
- Week 13: 46.8
The verdict? Fries is average, and that’s a disappointment. He needs to rank in the league’s Top 12 per OG efficiency.
At Least He’s Healthy?
The silver lining of Fries’ contract and first season in Minnesota, unlike his peers, is good health. Fries has not missed a game inside a season when all of his offensive line counterparts have missed multiple. All of them.
There’s an adage that’s frequently advertised: “The best ability is availability.” Fries has that going for him.
Now, if he can minimize his 2.25 pressures allowed per game, Minnesota might eventually be in business.
When a Divorce Makes Sense
The Vikings will likely give Fries at least one more season to figure it out in a new system. He might even put it together and play better in 2026. Players do turn it around after some experience with a new team and coaching staff.
If that does not occur, Minnesota can part ways with Fries rather easily after 2026. Every NFL veteran contract is basically a two-year deal, except for huge quarterback agreements. By the time the summer of 2027 rolls around, the Vikings could divorce Fries for a menial $4 million dead cap hit if he never improves alongside $8 million more in dead money the following year.
It’s also worth noting that $34 million of Fries’ contract is guaranteed, and he’ll earn most of that in 2025 and 2026.
Pro-Fries Takes
A couple of weeks ago, The Viking Age‘s Antony Miller spun a different tale on Fries.
He defended the lineman, “The only lineman who has been healthy all season has been guard Will Fries, who ironically played just five games last [year] with the Indianapolis Colts after suffering a broken tibia. Fries signed a five-year, $88 million contract in the offseason with the Vikings, and apparently, he’s not playing at the level he should be.”
“Everyone needs to give Fries a break, as the Vikings have had to deal with some continuity issues on the offensive line. This is a unit that has had eight different starters on the line after key injuries to Ryan Kelly, Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, and Brian O’Neill. Fries is literally the only day one starter who has started every single game on the line this season.”
Fries, indeed, could improve with more overall offensive line continuity. That does happen.
Miller also wrote, “Sure, the numbers aren’t going to look great as his Pro Football Focus grade in 2025 so far is 57.2, which is 43rd out of 79 offensive guards. The positive is that he is 16th among guards in pass blocking with a grade of 69.3. It would be hard for any offensive lineman to succeed in the turmoil that has been the Vikings’ offensive line.”
“The good news is that the line is starting to get healthier, including the opening of Kelly’s 21-day practice window. Once the Vikings are fully healthy on the offensive line, Fries should see more success with his play, and fans will be able to see the full picture of what the franchise is aiming for.”
So perhaps the happy medium is a declaration that Fries didn’t live up to his contract in his first year with the Vikings, but “there’s always next year.” Purple fans know the slogan well.
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