3 Vikings extensions Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could sign to set up the 2025 season for success
The salary cap for the Minnesota Vikings is healthier now than it's been in ages. When general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took over for Rick Spielman, he inherited quite a mess. There were multiple bad contracts on the books with a lot of potential dead money when they were released. Guys like Adam Thielen, Kirk Cousins and Dalvin […]
The salary cap for the Minnesota Vikings is healthier now than it's been in ages.
When general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took over for Rick Spielman, he inherited quite a mess. There were multiple bad contracts on the books with a lot of potential dead money when they were released. Guys like Adam Thielen, Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook hit hard on the dead money for over $50 million, but that is all done and the Vikings currently have approximately $64 million in salary cap space.
The Vikings could look to cut players for salary cap space or do some restructures, but extensions can also create salary cap space.
RT Brian O'Neill
Cap Hit: $26,019,114
Base Salary: $17,400,000
O'Neill is a great extension candidate. He is about to enter his age 30 season and has no more guaranteed money left on his contract. It would be wise for him to sign an extension so he can receive more guaranteed money.
Doing so would also be a good idea for the Vikings. They have Christian Darrisaw under contract for the next five seasons and having both tackle spots secured would be huge long-term.
If they were to extend O'Neill, doing so would potentially give the Vikings a good amount of cap space. He has $8,019,114 worth of signing bonus that he has to have this season no matter what along with at lowest a minimum salary of $1.2 million. An extension could clear upward of $10-13 million/.
TE Josh Oliver
Cap Hit: $9,424,000
Base Salary: $7,950,000
One of the more intriguing players on the roster in terms of salary cap is Oliver. He is the second tight end but his presence as a blocker is really impressive. When Oliver is in the game, he acts as a third tackle being able to handle edge rushers in the run game and sometimes in pass protection.
As the Vikings try to focus on improving a run game that desperately needs an injection of adrenaline, Oliver's presence for more than just 2025 should. Plus, an extension could shrink the Vikings' cap space.
EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel
Cap Hit: $12,400,000
Base Salary: $10,780,000
Van Ginkel being on this list is interesting, especially with the selection of Dallas Turner last year. That withstanding, he was a second-team All-Pro and a starter in the Pro Bowl Games with his excellent season.
Van Ginkel has one year left on his contract as well as four void years. They are set up to sign him to an extension. Even if Turner becomes the player the Vikings want him to be, the Vikings still had four edge rushers play over 452 snaps and Turner played 310 as edge five.
This is where Rob Brzezinski can play with the salary cap and make things work to help maximize the 2025 roster.
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