The day the Minnesota Vikings announced Justin Jefferson’s $140 million extension, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah offered his succinct hierarchy of the most efficient ways to build a team:
1. Draft players
2. Re-sign your own players
3. Sign players in free agency
4. Trade for players, then pay them
“We look at (extensions) as pretty favorable to the team,” Adofo-Mensah said.
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Why Justin Jefferson's record-breaking Vikings extension was always in the cardsJefferson’s huge contract deserved the more than a year of buildup it got. But now that the Vikings have signed him to a four-year deal, business continues. Who might be next to earn a long-term contract in Minnesota? Here are six candidates:
Minicamp ✅ pic.twitter.com/QVCxRliAKA
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 6, 2024
Christian Darrisaw, LT
Why it makes sense now: Great left tackles do not grow on trees. Darrisaw has yet to make a Pro Bowl or earn All-Pro honors. But he just turned 25 years old and he has produced three consistently above-average seasons to begin his career. He ranked 17th among 58 qualified tackles in pass-protection efficiency in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. The year before, he ranked third among 59 qualified tackles in run-blocking grade behind only Trent Williams and Kaleb McGary. Darrisaw is entering his fourth season, meaning he is eligible for an extension. He also recently switched agents to Drew Rosenhaus, who has completed numerous contracts with Minnesota this offseason.
Why it doesn’t: Adofo-Mensah has said frequently that extensions after three seasons are hard to complete. The team and player have to sort through the two remaining seasons of the contract, and there remains significant room for each side to benefit — or lose — depending on the structure of the deal. The Vikings could also be cautious given Darrisaw’s injury history. He suffered two concussions in 2022. Ankle and groin injuries have also hampered his availability. Whether Darrisaw inks an extension or not may depend on his willingness to wait. Last year, Jefferson accepted some risk. He benefited immensely.
Ballpark estimate: Four years, $87 million guaranteed
Cam Bynum, S
Why it makes sense now: Only one safety has played more snaps than Bynum over the last two seasons: Quandre Diggs. Add in Bynum’s special teams snaps, and he tops the entire list. Bynum might not have the top-end speed or ball-hawking skills of some other top safeties, but he has had zero trouble learning different systems year after year. He mastered Mike Zimmer’s coverage, learned under Ed Donatell and assimilated quickly into Brian Flores’ scheme. Reliability has a price. The Vikings signed Josh Metellus to a two-year extension last offseason once he became eligible. Bynum loves Minnesota and could operate similarly.
Why it doesn’t: There isn’t a great answer. Bynum, who will turn 26 in July, has a cap hit this season of about $3.3 million, according to Over The Cap. He might not be as versatile as Metellus, but depth is essential, and even though the Vikings have Theo Jackson and Jay Ward waiting in the wings, neither is as well versed in Flores’ system as Bynum. He also won’t break the bank. Last year, Metellus signed a two-year deal with $6 million guaranteed. Earlier this offseason, the Denver Broncos signed 26-year-old Brandon Jones to a three-year deal worth $12.5 million guaranteed. Bynum’s value likely lies somewhere in the middle.
Ballpark estimate: Two years, $9.5 million guaranteed
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Vikings post-minicamp depth chart: Quarterback thoughts, 2022 draftees and moreHarrison Phillips, DT
Why it makes sense now: Phillips is entering the final year of his contract, and the Vikings have yet to fortify the defensive line with a bevy of young talent. Jaquelin Roy and Levi Drake Rodriguez might be developmental options, but neither is a surefire starter of the future. Phillips is never going to be a dominant pass rusher on the interior, but he is a proven run stopper. He recorded the sixth most defensive stops last season, per PFF, which is a statistic that tracks tackles constituting a “failure” for the offense. He has battled foot and back injuries, but he played nearly 75 percent of the Vikings’ defensive snaps last year and figures to be a focal point of the run-stopping unit this year.
Why it doesn’t: The Vikings will have money to spend next spring in free agency. They could deem the free agent market (Kenny Clark, B.J. Hill or Davon Godchaux) more fruitful. They could also prioritize the defensive line in the draft with a highly touted prospect like Michigan’s Mason Graham or Georgia’s Nazir Stackhouse. Those are both bets on availability and development with upside. Phillips is like Bynum in that he serves as trusty depth, a need for every team, which is not lost on Adofo-Mensah or coach Kevin O’Connell, who have both talked frequently about filling out the edges of the roster.
Ballpark estimate: Two years, $10.5 million guaranteed
Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips has started 34 straight games for the Vikings since signing with Minnesota two years ago. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Josh Metellus, S/LB
Why it makes sense now: Metellus is under contract through 2025. That’s the result of his extension, signed last year during training camp, which came before he played more than 1,000 defensive snaps. Metellus is a perfect player for Flores. He can play as a deep-half safety. He can defend slot receivers. He can even play off-ball linebacker. He tallied 29 pressures as a pass rusher last year, according to PFF. He is a 26-year-old captain who loves Minnesota and figures to be a defensive staple for years to come, especially once Harrison Smith hangs up his cleats. Why not commit further down the road than 2025?
Why it doesn’t: Metellus might prefer to wait another season to see what happens with Flores and the safety market. No NFL team interviewed Flores for a head-coaching opportunity this offseason. But if the Vikings defense performs as well as it did last year, his name will circulate again. Additionally, Metellus might realize that the open market could lead to the biggest payday. These two parties have a great relationship, evidenced by last year’s extension. Rosenhaus also represents Metellus, who is central to what O’Connell wants to build.
Ballpark estimate: Three years, $12.5 million guaranteed
Byron Murphy Jr., CB
Why it makes sense now: Murphy’s contract is set to void after this season. His dead cap hit will ding the Vikings’ salary cap in 2025 regardless. That Minnesota even structured his initial deal with void years lays a foundation for a potential extension. And although Murphy was not exceptional last year, he often covered the opposition’s top receiver. The Vikings have also failed to infuse the cornerback room with much in the way of developmental options. Khyree Jackson and Dwight McGlothern Jr. might have starter-level ability, but that’s a big ask right away. Securing Murphy at a low cost could make sense for Minnesota, and Murphy’s injury history could lead him to wanting more security.
Why it doesn’t: The Vikings could prefer to see how Murphy performs in more slot alignments in 2024 before ponying up more money. The 2025 free agent class also features a few interesting cornerback options (Charvarius Ward, D.J. Reed, A.J. Terrell) who could intrigue the Vikings, and they’ll have ample money to spend if that’s the route they choose.
Ballpark estimate: Three years, $15 million guaranteed
Garrett Bradbury, C
Why it makes sense now: Bradbury still has two years on his contract, although the Vikings could offload him before next season to recoup some cap space. Bradbury’s value lies in his experience which will be important to pair with what should eventually be a rookie quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. Bradbury’s knowledge of protections is a boon. This would, in many ways, be a bet that Bradbury continues to improve. His 2023 season was his most efficient as a pass protector, according to PFF.
Why it doesn’t: Minnesota might want to wait it out. Why add more years and guaranteed money if you’re not sure? Bradbury’s 2024 cap hit is the eighth highest among NFL centers. His 2025 cap hit is projected to be the ninth highest among centers. The most likely scenario could see the Vikings closely observing Bradbury’s 2024 performance, seeing if seventh-round pick Michael Jurgens has the skill set to start in the future, and, if not, snagging another developmental center in the 2025 draft.
Ballpark estimate: Two years, $7.5 million guaranteed
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(Top photo of Christian Darrisaw: Ryan Kang via Associated Press)
