Vikings Defender Gets Monster Extension
Andrew Van Ginkel will be attached to the Minnesota Vikings’ depth chart for at least the next two seasons.
Vikings Defender Gets Monster Extension
After a mammoth season in Minnesota last year, his first in the Twin Cities, the team’s front office rewarded Van Ginkel on Tuesday, making him around the NFL’s 15th highest-paid EDGE defender.
Andrew Van Ginkel Extended
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “A raise in Minnesota: Vikings reached agreement today on a one-year $23 million extension that includes $22.4 million guaranteed for LB Andrew Van Ginkel, per his agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus.”
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling added, “Rosenhaus, who represents Van Ginkel and Josh Metellus, was at the Vikings facility today after spending quite a bit of time with Vikings brass at the NFL owners meetings last month. Wouldn’t be surprised if the structure lowers Van Ginkel’s cap number, as well.”
And The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis with the alley-oop finish: “When Drew Rosenhaus was walking the Vikings hallways with Rob Brzezinski this afternoon, it was a wrap. Will be interested to see structure, but just have to say: Andrew Van Ginkel was just insanely good last year. He does everything well. He’ll probably intercept this tweet.”
That tweet trifecta ensures that Van Ginkel remains in Minneapolis through the end of the 2026 season, so two more years. The man who looks like an actual Viking isn’t going anywhere. He’ll earn about $17 million annually.
A Paycheck Well Deserved
Van Ginkel logged 79 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for loss, and two pick-sixes in 2024 — a monster season. He also earned his first Pro Bowl trip alongside teammate and fellow outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard.
The former Miami Dolphin and Iowa native recorded a 71.4 Pro Football Focus grade, good enough for 33rd-best in the business. The franchise felt his impact immediately, as Van Ginkel authored one of his two pick-sixes in Week 1 last September against the New York Giants.
Van Ginkel rarely had quiet games in 2024 — probably why the extension amount was so large this week.
ESPN’s Take on the Deal
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted on Van Ginkel and his extension: “Van Ginkel spent his first five NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins but was part of a stellar free agent class the Vikings signed in March 2024. He signed a two-year deal worth $20 million and proceeded to start all 17 games for the first time in his career. He also recorded career highs with 11.5 sacks and two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.”
“In addition to All-Pro honors, Van Ginkel made his first Pro Bowl team and finished seventh in voting for the Defensive Player of the Year award.”
The veteran defender will turn 30 on July 1st.
Seifert added, “Van Ginkel is one of several Vikings veterans who has been in negotiations for a contract extension this offseason, Another is safety Josh Metellus, whose contract is set to expire after the 2025 season. He and Van Ginkel are represented by the same agents.”
Outside Linebacker Room in Good Hands
With Van Ginkel secured, Minnesota will boast quite the EDGE room this fall. Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Dallas Turner will receive the bulk of defensive action in Brian Flores’ system, but the team also employs Bo Richter, Gabriel Murphy, and undrafted free-agent newcomer Tyler Batty.
And that’s all a year removed from letting Danielle Hunter depart via free agency to the Houston Texans. Fans panicked when Hunter left, but the outside linebacking corps is even better shape without him per personnel, if that can be believed.
Other Extensions Incoming?
Seifert mentioned the Josh Metellus extension, a deal that should arrive before too long, likely later this summer at the latest.
Other purple players like Jalen Nailor and Ivan Pace Jr. will be in line for new deals if the front office sees fit, though those players might enter negotiations after the 2025 campaign.
Taking Care of Players
Before Tuesday’s extension, Van Ginkel was set to earn $10 million for his 2025 services. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed him for cheap in March 2024 as Van Ginkel was recovering from a Lisfranc injury.
His extension shows a continued philosophy of player empowerment utilized by Adofo-Mensah — taking care of players who deserve it.
Minnesota’s defense ranked second leaguewide per EPA/Play in 2024.
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