Early Monday morning, the Minnesota Vikings made a huge splash with a contract extension for linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. This decision is in recognition of the All-Star outfielder’s success throughout 2023. The new deal is worth $23 million, with a staggering $22.4 million guaranteed. With this deal, Van Ginkel is guaranteed to remain an important part of the team’s roster until at least the end of the 2026 season.
This extension serves as the culmination of an entire offseason spent negotiating extensions and raising the floor for veterans for several Vikings veterans. Van Ginkel’s agents, Drew and Jason Rosenhaus, were instrumental in getting this windfall deal. Acquired to shore up the Vikings D-line, Van Ginkel signed in March 2024 as one of the members of a much-heralded free agent class. He soon established himself as a key player on the team’s defensive line.
Fresh off a career-high 71 tackles while starting all 17 games in his first season with Minnesota, Van Ginkel has more than established himself. He earned second-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection, indicative of his growing impact on the field. During the year, he was one of the most elite defenders, ranking seventh in voting for Defensive Player of the Year.
Van Ginkel put up career highs across the board, racking up 11.5 sacks as well as two interceptions. Perhaps most impressively, he took both interceptions back for touchdowns, displaying his versatility and play-making ability. This monumental performance proved beyond a doubt that he was one of the finest linebackers in the entire league.
Before joining the Vikings, Van Ginkel made a name for himself during five seasons in the Miami Dolphins’ LB corps. This experience laid the foundation for his future career success. The Vikings took an excellent step by extending his contract through 2024. This decision reinforces their dedication to retaining important talent on their roster as they pursue a championship in the coming seasons.
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