These Vikings Extensions Could Arrive This Summer

Jordan Addison (WR)

The Vikings will probably slow-roll Addison’s extension to ensure he stays out of trouble. They are not required to extend him this summer, but for a player with zero off-the-field transgressions, now would be the time.

Minnesota exercised his fifth-year option last week. So long as he stays out of trouble, Addison will be around for the long haul.

In fact, if the Vikings hopped on his extension now, they might save themselves over $10 million, since the NFL market resets every offseason.

Blake Brandel (C)

This man is probably head coach Kevin O’Connell’s starting center. Fans expected Minnesota to draft a center early in last month’s draft, but it waited until Round 7 to bring home Gavin Gerhardt of Cincinnati.

The Vikings love Brandel, and he deserves a new deal. His contract runs out after the 2026 season. The man can play every offensive line position, which is not normal.

Blake Cashman (ILB)

With Cashman entering the final year of his contract, the Vikings face a crucial decision regarding his future.

Currently earning $7.5 million per season, Cashman’s compensation no longer accurately reflects his on-field production. A short-term extension, perhaps for two years at approximately $20 million, appears to be the most logical step, a deal interim boss Rob Brzezinski is likely to finalize before the season begins.

His stats in 2025 strongly support this. Cashman averaged an impressive 11.07 tackles per game. Over a full season, this pace would have accumulated 188 tackles, placing him eighth all-time in NFL history. Despite missing four games, which lowered his overall total and may have obscured his exceptional performance, his per-game impact was undeniable.

Beyond the numbers, Cashman is an ideal fit for Brian Flores’s defense. The Eden Prairie native plays as if he were tailor-made for Flores, having truly found his rhythm and delivered significant plays.

Cashman’s future is also fascinating because the Vikings just drafted Cincinnati’s Jake Golday in Round 2 of the draft. In theory, Minnesota could let Cashman walk and promote Golday in 2027.

Jordan Mason (RB)

The Vikings signed Mason to an extension last offseason after landing him via trade with the San Francisco 49ers. That deal runs out at the end of the upcoming season.

Brzezinski re-upped with Aaron Jones in March, as Jones accepted a small paycut to remain with the team. The deal ensured that Jones and Mason will probably share RB1 carries this year.

If Minnesota values Mason, he could be extended this summer, as his career’s prime should have a couple of years remaining. That would likely cost around $6 million or $7 million per year.

Brian O’Neill (RT)

The Vikings will soon need to re-evaluate O’Neill’s contract, and the reasons are evident. He remains the team’s most reliable offensive lineman, excelling in performance and durability for years. While he will turn 31 soon and age is now a part of the conversation, top offensive tackles typically maintain their performance longer than players at more volatile positions. O’Neill has given Minnesota no reason to believe he’s on the verge of a decline.

Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill acknowledges the home crowd following a strong performance, with Dec 1, 2024 centered at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as he reacts postgame against the Arizona Cardinals, showcasing leadership and connection with fans after contributing to the team’s effort in front of a home audience. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

However, the more pressing concern is timing. O’Neill is set to become a free agent in 2027, and the Vikings will undoubtedly want to avoid that period of uncertainty. An extension that includes guaranteed new money would be a shrewd move for all parties. If the Vikings aim to maintain offensive stability, O’Neill needs to remain a core part of the picture.

O’Neill is probably the most likely player on this list to grab a new deal.

Isaiah Rodgers (CB)

Rodgers delivered the game of a lifetime last September, personally slaughtering the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Along the way, he made a name for himself and played quite well for the whole season, though Rodgers is not the greatest tackler.

But he’s fast as hell, and he’s a playmaker.

His extension might look like two years and $25 million or something in that ballpark.

Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)

Van Ginkel is suddenly more vital to the Vikings than ever. The team traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles during the draft, nominating Van Ginkel and teammate Dallas Turner for starting OLB duty. Beyond the pair, that’s pretty much it for credible OLB depth on the Vikings’ roster.

Minnesota added $23 million to his contract about one year ago. It could do the same this summer, connecting Van Ginkel to the club through the end of 2027.

He’ll turn 31 this summer; age is now a factor in his long-term outlook.

Jay Ward (S)

Ward excelled when given opportunities last season, injecting grit, physicality, and much-needed youth into the secondary. Drafted in 2023, Ward is now entering the final year of his rookie contract, making this an opportune moment to explore a modest extension before his market value escalates.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr celebrates a defensive takeaway alongside teammates, with Nov 27, 2023 set at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as he reacts with Jay Ward and Pat Jones II after a fourth-quarter fumble recovery against the Bears, capturing a momentum-shifting moment during a divisional contest. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

His usage late last season is also significant. Flores’s apparent trust in Ward, even favoring him over Theo Jackson at times, spoke volumes. Turning 26 this summer, Ward embodies the type of younger defensive talent Minnesota should prioritize retaining.

Especially with Harrison Smith’s future in jeopardy, now is the time to lock down Ward.