Minnesota is charting its course forward with its left tackle leading the pack.
The Vikings and Christian Darrisaw have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension, NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesdsay. The extension is worth a maximum of $113 million, with $77 million guaranteed.
Darrisaw's contract comes well before he's due for a new deal. Minnesota exercised its fifth-year option on the former 23rd-overall pick of the 2021 draft during the 2024 offseason, buying the team security through the end of the 2025 season.
The Virginia Tech product has already done enough to prove he's worth the investment. Despite not yet garnering a postseason honor, Darrisaw has been a reliable blindside blocker for the likes of Kirk Cousins and the assortment of backups forced into action following his season-ending Achilles injury suffered in 2023. Darrisaw has posted offensive grades of 82 or better in each of his past two seasons, allowing a total of 11 sacks combined between 2022 and 2023 while finishing with blocking efficiency percentages of 97 or better, per Pro Football Focus.
With Cousins (and his significant cap number) now gone for Atlanta, the Vikings are moving forward by securing a key blocker for whomever will fill Cousins' shoes (Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy) both in the short and long term.
