Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw’s Contract Extension Got More Expensive This Weekend
Josh Frey
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Minnesota Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw, their first-round pick in 2021, has not only proven to be the best left tackle the team has had in recent memory, but also one of the very best in the entire NFL over his first two NFL seasons. There are still three years left on his rookie scale contract (assuming Minnesota gives him his fifth-year option), so we have a bit of time before we have to worry about Darrisaw’s next contract, but that next contract may have gotten a bit more expensive this weekend.
Down in Houston, the Texans have had a very busy 24 hours. Not only did they deal wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys, but they also gave their own left tackle Laremy Tunsil another market-resetting contract.
On Sunday morning, the Texans star got another 3-year contract worth a total of $75 million. As reported by NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport, Tunsil is once again the highest paid offensive tackle in NFL history, and this latest contract fully guarantees $50 million while having $60 million in total guarantees.
Tunsil, 28, has now set the market for left tackles twice in the past three years. Back in 2020, his first post-rookie contract given by the Texans was another market-buster that was also a 3-year deal and worth $66 million.
For the Vikings, Darrisaw has jumped into Tunsil’s tier especially because of his play during the 2022 season. After struggling with injuries during the early portions of his rookie season, Darrisaw started 14 games this past season (he missed three games with a concussion).
According to PFF, the Vikings second-year left tackle was penalized just two times over 857 snaps and allowed only five sacks. For his efforts, the site gave him an elite 90.3 grade. Meanwhile, Tunsil was given an 80.0 grade and was penalized 11 times while allowing just a single sack in 1061 snaps.
Assuming the 23-year-old Darrisaw continues to play at an elite level, Tunsil’s contract looks like a strong baseline for what he could make if the Vikings opt to extend him. This means the Vikings could be looking at giving the duo of Darrisaw and WR Justin Jefferson upwards of $200 million combined over the next couple offseasons. Certainly a pretty penny for two players, but the play on the field has warranted these potentially massive contracts.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.