Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive sort out Brian O’Neill (75) warms up previous to the sport in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Matt Blewett-Imagn Pictures.
After quarterback, edge rusher is the NFL’s most vital place (see a few of Jeff Diamond’s latest ideas on VT). Does that imply Andrew Van Ginkel must be subsequent to earn an extension? He’s a Vikings star participant even when he’s usually ignored.
The 2024 second-team All Professional is transferring into his last season. He’ll demand $23 million, an quantity that places him in a great spot throughout the broader edge rusher market however nowhere close to the highest. Seeing a brand new deal arrive needs to be a precedence for the Vikings’ entrance workplace. Fairly presumably, the undone Van Ginkel extension must get in forward of the Brian O’Neill deal, anyone who has extra generally been within the headlines.
A Vikings Star Participant — Andrew Van Ginkel — Wants an Extension
A part of the issue for Van Ginkel in 2025 was well being, or lack thereof. The sting rusher obtained into only a dozen video games, beginning eleven.
He was however in a position to climb as much as 7 sacks. That’s a step behind the 11.5 sacks he tossed up in 2024. What’s lacking from the fundamental evaluation is that Van Ginkel not solely performed in much less video games however had lesser move speeding snaps. Brian Flores tasked him with move speeding on simply 173 performs, per PFF. He had 414 move speeding snaps the 12 months earlier than.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) surveyed the Tennessee backfield Nov 17, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, throughout second-half motion in opposition to the Titans at Nissan Stadium. Van Ginkel tracked the play from his place as Minnesota’s protection adjusted to Tennessee’s offensive appears within the AFC–NFC matchup, highlighting his consciousness and position throughout the Vikings’ defensive rotation. Necessary Credit score: Steve Roberts-Imagn Pictures.
He was, in different phrases, a terror off the sting. His concern is that he obtained much less alternative, making the ultimate tally seem extra modest.
Worse but (for the Vikings, at the least) is that Minnesota doesn’t have an incredible alternative. Dallas Turner is already being burdened with leaping into the Jonathan Greenard opening. No one else on the roster boasts the type of promise to recommend that an EDGE1 job as early as 2027 is sensible. Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and/or others can have one thing to say in regards to the matter, however we’re merely contemplating the almost certainly path forward.
So, an extension would seem darn close to vital.
Over the Cap clarifies that high edge rushers — suppose guys like Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons, Danielle Hunter, and a few others — can clear $40 million per 12 months on their offers. Van Ginkel received’t see his title amongst these guys.
Goodness, Will Anderson Jr. is now on the high of the market with a contract averaging a cool $50 million per season. Doubling the Van Ginkel $23 million would imply sitting at $46 million, nonetheless in need of the Anderson contract.
In all chance, Andrew Van Ginkel may see his annual common get to someplace throughout the $25 to $30 million vary. Greenard climbed as much as that $30 million benchmark in his new Philadelphia deal however that’s throughout the context of being youthful and having a greater fame for monitoring down quarterbacks. The $30 million common needs to be thought of the high-end of any potential Van Ginkel extension.
Minnesota Vikings linebackers Jonathan Greenard (58) and Andrew Van Ginkel (43) rejoice following a defensive play throughout first-half motion in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Dec. 14, 2025, reacting with vitality because the unit builds momentum. Each defenders contribute to Minnesota’s aggressive front-seven efficiency. Necessary Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Pictures.
Taking a guess would imply doing exactly that: guessing. Nolan Teasley is a thriller since he’s nonetheless so new.
What’s not a thriller is the talents that Andrew Van Ginkel can provide. He’s a singular participant in a league that boasts a pile of distinctive gamers. No one on Minnesota’s roster can do what the EDGE1 is able to doing. Because of this, the Vikings star participant could find yourself being the precedence to increase.
The Vikings may put greater than $11 million into the 2026 finances with an extension.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E-mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
