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Vikings Skyrocket Up NFL O-Line Investment Rankings
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- Vikings Skyrocket Up NFL O-Line Investment Rankings
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Heading into the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings had no greater need than addressing an offensive line that allowed a season-high nine sacks, in their playoff loss to the Rams . Thankfully, it didn't take long for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to find a pair of Pro Bowl caliber interior trench warriors (with existing rapport), during the first two days of the 2025 NFL free agency negotiating period.
New Minnesota Vikings O-Linemen getting paid handsomely
The first OL upgrade came Monday, when the Vikings agreed to terms with former Colts center, Ryan Kelly . Then, early Tuesday morning, they did the same with his teammate, top free agent guard Will Fries . Both will be paid in the top 10 at their respective position.
| NFLRk |
Highest PaidCenters (AAV) |
Highest PaidGuards (AAV) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
KC – Creed Humphrey ($18M) |
KC- Trey Smith ($23.4M) |
| 3 |
DET – Frank Ragnow (13.5M) |
ATL – Chris Lindstrom ($20.5M) |
| 5 |
NO – Erik McCoy ($12M) |
IND – Quenton Nelson ($20M) |
| 7 |
MIN – Ryan Kelly($9M) |
WAS – Samuel Cosmi ($18M) |
| 9 |
BUF – Connor McGovern ($7.5M) |
MIN – Will Fries($17.6M) |
| 10 |
JAX – Aaron Brewer ($7M) |
GB – Elgton Jenkins ($17M) |
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Will Fries' new deal is worth five years, $88 million. He immediately slots in as Minnesota's new starting right guard. Fries was the fourth-best guard in the NFL last season, as ranked by Pro Football Focus ( 86.9 DEF Grade), drawing especially high marks as a run blocker ( 84.9 RBLK Grade– fifth-best guard in NFL).
Related: Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Signings – 2025
When he officially signs Wednesday, the soon to be 27-year-old Fries will become the NFL's ninth-highest-paid offensive guard, according to Spotrac . His signing represents a Minnesota Vikings willingness to invest on the interior OL in a way they have not been willing to since the Steve Hutchinson signing in the mid-2000s.
Incumbent Vikings offensive linemen aren't cheap, either
Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly was signed to a much more affordable contract, from an overall money standpoint, But at two years, $18 million ($9M AAV), the 31-year-old 4X Pro Bowler comes in as the seventh-highest-paid center in the NFL. Don't forget about Bradbury is still the 16th-highest-paid center too.
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The MN Vikings' new offensive linemen will join cornerstone tackles Brian O'Neill and Christian Darrisaw , who were set in stone on the depth chart before the offseason began. Back in 2021, the Vikings signed O'Neill — their two-time Pro Bowl right tackle — to a five-year, $92.5 million contract extension, locking him in until 2027.
Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Then in June of 2023, the Vikings inked 2021 1st round pick, left tackle Christian Darrisaw, to a four-year, $104 million contract extension, locking their blindside protector in until 2030. He's currently the NFL's third-highest-paid tackle , with an annual average salary of $26 million per season.
Related: Vikings' New Free Agent Deal Just Got Sweeter
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Don't forget about former first-round pick Garrett Bradbury , who signed a three-year contract extension worth up to $15.75 million ($5.25M AAV) back in 2023. The former Nebraska Cornhusker is only under contract for the 2025 season, but his time in purple could be even more limited than that, should the Vikings decide to move on, now that they have Ryan Kelly to play center.
Vikings now have NFL's most expensive offensive line
Add it all up, and the Vikings now have the most expensive offensive line in the NFL, with an annual average value (AAV) of $86.7 million per season, according to Spotrac . The Carolina Panthers come in second, at an AAV of $84.7 million, with the Chiefs right behind them.
| Rk |
Team |
2025 OL AAV |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Vikings |
$86.7M |
| 2 |
Panthers |
$84.7M |
| 3 |
Chiefs |
$84.3M |
| 4 |
$79.3M |
|
| 5 |
Lions |
$75.3M |
| 6 |
Eagles |
$74.4M |
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In other words, no team has invested more monetarily into their offensive line than the Vikings have, after their signings this week. Now, if their investment turns into production, the future of the Minnesota Vikings offensive line should be a lot better next year and beyond.
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