The Vikings’ Contract that’s Quietly Aging Very Well
Admittedly, the modern NFL is a place where off-ball linebackers don’t often get huge credit. Should that begin shifting? After all, running backs are becoming fashionable again, so maybe the defensive counterparts should be getting similar praise.
One thinks of Blake Cashman, the top ‘backer in Minnesota. The Vikings’ contract for the veteran is looking very good after a single season. Not just good, though, but downright bargain-level given the impact he makes for Brian Flores. Provided he can play in all seventeen games — and possibly beyond, depending on the playoffs — Cashman should only inspire more appreciation.
The Vikings’ Contract for LB Blake Cashman
Lately, there has been a bit of chatter surrounding Ivan Pace Jr. More specifically, is there going to be a difficult decision with the blitzing specialist due to next year’s budget crunch?
Next year’s budget is going to be a challenging riddle to solve. Yes, there are many solutions — cuts, restructures, extensions, trades, and turning over couch cushions — but the issue is nevertheless present. Might there be an extension for Blake Cashman in March of 2026, one that carves out a bit of room in the process?
Cashman, 29, appears to still be getting better.
As things stand, the linebacker is bringing a $7,236,765 cap charge into the 2025 season. Next year, the number is going to be $9,050,000. Keep in mind, folks, that we’re talking about a difference maker at middle linebacker, someone who has the green dot on his helmet. He’s a versatile veteran who calls the defense for Flores, meaning he offers strong communication and leadership on the field. Extending him in 2026 could mean recouping $4,628,000 in cap space.
Mr. Cashman played in fourteen games in 2024. He had 112 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, 8 tackles for loss, and 8 passes defended. Pace gets the credit for aggression, but we shouldn’t forget that Cashman got sent on a blitz 108 times.
What we’re talking about, then, is a linebacker who can basically do it all. No, not prime Eric Kendricks, but someone who has become a very good football player. Defend the run, get into the backfield to make a QB skittish, and drop into coverage. Do all of those things at a high level.
Blake Cashman first entered the NFL in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was a Golden Gopher in college before becoming a Jet in the NFL. After the stop in New York, the Texans were the next opportunity. Playing for DeMeco Ryans in 2023 is when things really started to click.
As a Viking, Cashman has thrived under Brian Flores.
Just look at the snap discrepancy between the LB1 and LB2 last season. Cashman got involved in 895 snaps — 94% — for the defense last season. Pace was in on 414 snaps, working out to 59% of the defense’s snaps within Pace’s available games (he got in on eleven contests last season).
In all likelihood, the linebackers are going to be better since Eric Wilson and Kobe King have been added into the mix. Those two aren’t going to steal Cashman’s snaps, but they could plausibly take away some work from Pace. Regardless of what takes place from LB2 onward, Cashman seems locked into getting the lion’s share of the snaps at linebacker.
When games get going, Blake Cashman will be one to watch since he’s capable of doing so much so well. No, he isn’t on the same level as Andrew Van Ginkel or Josh Metellus in terms of versatility, but he’s nevertheless an excellent linebacker who is only hindered by injury (an issue at different points in his career). Keep an eye on #51 when you get the chance to watch Vikings football, whether at training camp and/or once games get going.
His original contract — one that was a three-year commitment for a total of $22.5 million — appears to have been well worth it.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
