Latest NFL news highlights why the Minnesota Vikings need to ink one critical player to an extension immediately
The price for quality players is getting more and more expensive, and it emphasizes why Jalen Redmond needs to be extended now.
Over the next few weeks, the Minnesota Vikings have some major decisions they can make. New general manager Nolan Teasley is likely to put his own stamp on the roster.
One of the ways the Vikings can do that is with extensions. There are many players the Vikings could prioritize with extensions, including Jalen Redmond. He is going into his third season, but another great year could make things a little more complicated.
Friday afternoon brought news that the Tennessee Titans extended defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons on a three-year deal worth over $100 million at $35.3 million average annuan value.
With the top of the market increasing by nearly $4 million per year, prices for all defensive tackles just went up, and getting Redmond on a new contract should be a priority for the Vikings. However, it may not be that way for Redmond.
The restricted free agency wrinkle
Right now, my projected contract extension for Redmond would be for three year, $48 million. That’s a lot of money, but it would behoove Redmond to wait on a contract. If he continues growing and puts together another dominant season, he will make significantly more money by just playing out his deal.
However, the Vikings hold considerable leverage here. Redmond is a restricted free agent with only two accrued years. If another team signs him to an offer sheet next March, Minnesota has the right to match. The Vikings can also place a first-round tender on him, which would cost around $7.5 million. If a team signs Redmond to something outrageous, the Vikings can simply let him walk and collect a first-round pick in return.
That kind of flexibility is rare. We rarely see a player on a restricted tender go to another team and cost that team substantial draft capital. Inside linebacker Ivan Pace was placed on an original-round tender at $3.52 million, and he didn’t get any offers. Players on original-round tenders rarely get poached, unless they are undrafted players. That’s how the Vikings signed Ryan van Demark in March. The Vikings would likely place a first or second-round tender on Redmond instead of the original-round tender because he’s that good.
One additional wrinkle worth noting: because Redmond was an undrafted free agent, the Vikings have the ability to sign him to a long-term extension after two accrued years. Draft picks have to wait until they’re in the final year of their rookie deal, which comes after Year 3. Undrafted free agent deals are three years, giving Minnesota an earlier window to lock Redmond up.
Will they end up coming to a deal now? Redmond could be leaving money on the table by doing so. However, you never know what direction life can take, and sometimes, the guarantees are more important than the total money earned.
