Vikings Coach Gives One Player an Early Pro Bowl Recommendation
Even in a season of disappointment, there are always some sparks of positivity. In 2025, Minnesota’s biggest spark is one guy on defense, and the team’s head coach believes should be getting some national recognition by the end of the season.
VikingsTerritory looks at the Vikings player their head coach thinks should receive Pro Bowl recognition for the first time this season.
The player in question is defensive tackle Jalen Redmond. Picked up last year after a spell with the Arlington Renegades in the XFL, after a stint on the Carolina Panthers practice squad. No one expected the trajectory Redmond has taken over the last year and a half.
It’s Jalen Redmond as a Possible Vikings Pro Bowler
From a guy with the expectation of just being a training camp body in 2024 to arguably the Vikings’ best player on defense in 2025, it has been a meteoric rise for Redmond.
During Kevin O’Connell’s weekly catch-up with Paul Allen, the subject of Redmond came up, and the Vikings head coach expressed hope that Redmond gets his due for the season he is having, calling it as good as the top players at his position in the league. The Pro Bowl was mentioned, and there’s plenty of evidence to support that statement. The Vikings DT has quickly become an every-down player who does it all.
Through 11 games this season, Redmond has amassed 40 tackles, including 8 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 6 QB hits, 28 pressures, 1 forced fumble, and 3 passes defended. Pro Football Focus gives him an overall grade of 70.1. All of these stats are extremely impressive for a guy who is still young in his career. They are also just good by anyone’s standards, and if Redmond can finish as strongly over the last six games as he’s played over the first 11, then Pro Bowl recognition could certainly be on the cards.
New Contract Should be High on Vikings Offseason Priority List
Redmond has signed cheap one-year deals for his first two seasons in Minnesota. It’s safe to say that won’t be happening for a third year. Redmond has played his way towards a much-deserved payday, and the Vikings have to make sure it’s with them. There is work to do on that front, with the team projected to be around $35 million over the salary cap next season, as it stands, but moves will be made to rectify that.
Redmond’s ascension is no secret; he is being discussed more and more at the national level for what he is doing on the field. He will have suitors next year, and Over the Cap gives him a contract valuation of around $12 million for next season. That would be a good deal, and significantly cheaper than what the team is currently paying Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, who Redmond is comfortably outperforming this year.
As comfortably one of the Vikings’ top performers this season, Redmond deserves all the accolades and money that should be about to come in his direction.
You must be logged in to post a comment.