Standout Viking Deserves an Immediate Raise
The Vikings have done a ton of work throughout the first wave of free agency, adding players to fix numerous needs while also keeping top corner Byron Murphy Jr. in the building by giving him a raise. One guy, however, will look at the league-wide salaries and can’t be too happy about it.
Standout Viking Deserves an Immediate Raise
That person is pass rusher Andrew Van Ginkel. Last season’s second-team All-Pro, Pro Bowler, and 7th in the Defensive Player of the Year race was a true game-changer in his first year in purple.
Van Ginkel signed a two-year contract worth $20 million last offseason. Yes, a total of $20 million. He made $10 million in a season and was worth about three times that. He is entering the second season of his contract, meaning he will be a free agent next offseason.
To prevent losing the defender in free agency (and to keep him happy), the Vikings should extend his contract and pay him what he’s worth in the process. Just this week, the Texans extended Danielle Hunter’s contract.
The former Viking also signed a two-year deal a year ago, and the Texans added one year to his contract with a salary of $35.6 million, which is much more than his original deal with an annual salary of $24.5 million.
That’s what the Vikings should do, too—a raise paired with an extra year under contract.
Van Ginkel was originally drafted by now-Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The Wisconsin alumnus had an injury-riddled debut season with the Dolphins and was limited to six games. In year two, he played 16 games and about half the defensive snaps. Van Ginkel eclipsed 800 snaps one time in Miami, in the last one with Flores in 2021.
The next coaching staff didn’t use him nearly that much in 2022, but they had to in 2023 because of an injury to top defender Jaelen Phillips. After five seasons in Miami, mostly playing as a rotational guy in depth roles, he entered free agency and received his deal from the Vikings.
Flores knew what the man could do with more chances, and the Vikings clearly won the bet. Van Ginkel produced 11.5 sacks and 79 tackles. Of course, he also scored two INT return touchdowns. Those two plays put him on the map.
The defender possesses versatility. He can drop into coverage, stop the run, and rush the passer. His motor never stops, and he is a smart player.
Minnesota might be a little hesitant to extend his contract because they want backup and 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner to get more snaps. If he can turn into the advertised star defender, would there even be a need for Van Ginkel?
The good news is that pass rushers need to be kept fresh, and they rotate all the time. Giving Van Ginkel, fellow 2024 free agent Jonathan Greenard, and Turner significant snap numbers isn’t hard to do by any means, and lowering Greenard’s and Van Ginkel’s time on the field might even increase their efficiency.
Van Ginkel’s average salary of $10 million ranks him 30th among edge rushers, and it’s needless to say that he is criminally underpaid.
Taking care of players is something the Vikings usually do. A raise + extension should be a no-brainer.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt