Former Penn State offensive lineman cashes in on a dominant 2024 stretch, but it brings a lot of risk for the Minnesota Vikings

We have seen a good offensive guard class in free agency continue to reset the market over the last couple of days, and several of them have cashed in big time. One of the more interesting contracts went to former Indianapolis Colts standout Will Fries. He signed a 5-year, $88 million deal on Tuesday with […]

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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Penn State Nittany Lions running back Journey Brown (4) is congratulated by offensive linesman Will Fries (71) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Rutgers 27-6.
Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

We have seen a good offensive guard class in free agency continue to reset the market over the last couple of days, and several of them have cashed in big time. One of the more interesting contracts went to former Indianapolis Colts standout Will Fries. He signed a 5-year, $88 million deal on Tuesday with the Minnesota Vikings.

The need for the Vikings was clear on the interior offensive line, especially considering they are probably breaking in second-year pro JJ McCarthy at quarterback. Interior pressure is something that quarterbacks hate dealing with, and Ed Ingram and Blake Brandel probably isn’t the most ideal situation.

There is, however, some major risk with this signing. Fires was playing tremendous football in 2024, but was only able to play in five games due to a broken leg. Over the previous two years, Fries was a solid player, but was nowhere near as good as he was last season.

Fries is still only 26 years old, so there is hope that his terrific pay last season was sustainable. If it is, then the $17.6 million that Fries is making per season could end up being a bargain in the end. Fries is now the eleventh highest-paid guard annually in the NFL. That’s where the risk comes from, a very small sample size.

Right guard is now a major question for the Colts. Quenton Nelson has been a mainstay at left guard for a long time, but he will now have a new center next to him and a new bookend opposite of him at guard.

He was originally a seventh round selection by the Colts in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Penn State. The 6-6, 305-pound lineman started games both at offensive tackle and inside at guard while playing for the Nittany Lions. In total, he started 42 games in his career in Happy Valley. 

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