Vikings Will Be “In” on Free Agency’s Top iOL
Folks watched the Minnesota Vikings’ putrid playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams seven weeks ago and said after, “Yeah, this team needs interior offensive line help.”
Vikings Will Be “In” on Free Agency’s Top iOL
The same crowd instantly decided that the purple team should be the frontrunner for Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith’s free-agent services — until the Chiefs wiped Smith off the open market last week with the franchise tag.
Naturally, Vikings fans still want Minnesota to sign a fancy offensive guard, so Indianapolis Colts lineman Will Fries has entered the chart. And it just so happens, according to The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis, that the Vikings will be “in” on exploring Fries’ free agency.
Lewis wrote after the NFL Combine last week, “Headlining the list is Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries. He fits the Vikings’ preferred free-agent benchmarks in that he’s young, versatile and productive. How his right tibia fracture affects his market remains to be seen, but the Vikings will likely be bidding against multiple teams, including the NFC North-rival Chicago Bears.”
The Bears no longer have a need for Fries, believe it or not, after swinging back-to-back trades on Tuesday and Wednesday for guards Jonah Jackson (Los Angeles Rams) and Joe Thuney (Kansas City Chiefs).
“Moving defenders on run plays in the red zone has been another consistent issue. Position a player like Fries alongside left tackle Christian Darrisaw or right tackle Brian O’Neill, and the Vikings would be giving themselves a better chance,” Lewis added.
There is one small problem for the Vikings’ would-be pursuit of Fries. He’s now the top OG on the open market, and his price likely escalated with Smith franchise-tagged by the Chiefs. Minnesota won’t be the only franchise chasing Fries, and in fact, a dozen or so teams could hit his agent’s line.
Here’s Fries’ tale of the tape from Pro Football Focus:
- 2024: 86.9
- 2023: 61.2
- 2022: 58.4
- 2021: 54.8
Too, Fries broke his leg last season, so it’s not like his 2025 trajectory is absolutely sterling. Most expect him back by the start of the regular season, but there are some “yeah buts” with Fries. For example, the first section of 2024 — before the leg fracture — was the first time Fries was actually good-good in four seasons.
Still, some team will take the plunge for his free agency, and Vikings fans want Fries as their man next week.
If Minnesota swings and misses on Fries, these OGs are also slated to hit the market:
- Aaron Banks
- Mekhi Becton
- Alex Cappa
- Will Hernandez
- Teven Jenkins
- Patrick Mekari
- Brandon Scherff
- Kevin Zeitler
Fries will turn 27 next month. His next contract should check in around $15 million per season.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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