In what was a high-profile offseason signing, the Minnesota Vikings have confirmed that they are rewarding linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel with a one-year, $23 million contract extension. The agreement, worth $22.4 million in guaranteed funds, is a clear vote of faith in the veteran following his breakout 2024 season—his inaugural campaign with the club.
The announcement, made Tuesday morning, comes just weeks after the Vikings concluded a highly successful 14–3 season that saw them clinch the NFC North title and return to the playoffs. With Van Ginkel emerging as a key contributor on a revitalized defense, team officials say locking him in for the 2025 season was a top priority.
“Andrew’s contribution to our defense well exceeded the stat sheet,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said at the news conference. “He added energy, discipline, and leadership. This extension guarantees that our locker room still has a voice that demands respect.”
Van Ginkel’s Career Season
Van Ginkel, 29, signed a two-year contract with the Vikings in March after five years with the Miami Dolphins. Regarded as a reliable, if unheralded, producer in Miami, his move to Minnesota opened him up to a whole new level of performance.
Under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who also mentored Van Ginkel in Miami, he thrived. During 17 regular-season contests, he logged a career-high 11.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, two interceptions, both of which were returned for scores, and 79 total tackles. He was also credited with 30 quarterback pressures and five forced fumbles
His chaotic style of play contributed to the Vikings being a top-five defense at season’s end, an improvement compared to their inefficiency on defense during past years.
“All the pieces just fit,” said Van Ginkel. “The scheme worked for me, and I had coaching staff that had confidence in me. I had some energy coming off my guys. I played like I’d finally been able to play this kind of football the whole time I knew I was capable.”
His play earned him his first Pro Bowl pick and second-team All-Pro selection, solidifying his place as one of the league’s best outside linebackers in 2024.
A Fit in Flores’ System
Much of Van Ginkel’s success has been credited to his exposure to Brian Flores’ defense scheme. In their time together in Miami, Van Ginkel was primarily deployed as a rotational edge rusher. In Minnesota, he plays a starting role and takes on additional responsibilities, such as calling coverage and dealing with intricate blitz packages.
“I know what Coach Flo wants,” Van Ginkel explained. “There’s an aggression and intelligence to his style that fits my game. I’m not just rushing the passer—I’m diagnosing, adapting, and leading.”
Flores echoed the sentiment, calling Van Ginkel “a field general with the instincts of a chess master.”
Vikings’ Defensive Strategy Moving Forward
The Vikings’ front office is obviously banking on continuity with an eye toward capitalizing on the success of last season. In addition to Van Ginkel, Minnesota signed pass rusher Jonathan Greenard in 2024 and has built some highly encouraging young linebackers such as Ivan Pace Jr.
With the exit of longtime defensive stalwarts such as Danielle Hunter and Harrison Smith over the past few years, Van Ginkel’s extension represents a changing of the guard on defense—a younger, faster, and more mobile guard.
“He’s the bridge between our veterans and our young stars,” said head coach Kevin O’Connell. “He sets the tone, on and off the field.”
Furthermore, Van Ginkel’s captaincy has struck a chord with teammates. He was selected as a defensive captain in midseason team votes—a rare distinction for a first-year Viking.
Financial and Strategic Significance
The one-year, $23 million contract makes Van Ginkel among the highest-paid outside linebackers on a per-year basis. The nature of the contract—largely guaranteed—indicates the Vikings are going all-in on short-term defensive greatness, and maybe even a “win now” window.
The deal also gives the team cap flexibility past 2025, leaving open the potential for longer-term deals if Van Ginkel maintains his current level of play.
NFL salary cap expert Joel Corry observed, “This contract balances reward and prudence. It rewards Van Ginkel with what he’s earned after a tremendous season, but it doesn’t obligate the Vikings beyond their means in case of declining performance or injuries.”
Nevertheless, few across the league question whether Van Ginkel is worth the investment. His unique blend of athleticism, football smarts, and positional flexibility makes him a prized possession in modern hybrid defensive systems.
The Journey to the Top
Van Ginkel’s NFL ascent wasn’t linear. The fifth-round pick (151st overall) by the Dolphins in 2019 out of Wisconsin, he struggled to find playing time early on behind more veteran-laden units.
Although he showed flashes of potential—like a 2020 fumble return touchdown from 78 yards—he was for the most part under the radar. It took injuries and shifts on defense in Miami to get him regular reps before he began to display the full range of his talent.
Even today, Van Ginkel wears the chip on his shoulder that drove his development.
“I’ve never been the type of guy who was given anything,” he said. “This game has always been proving myself—every snap, every play. That’s not going to change just because I signed a more significant contract.”
Fan and League Reaction
The news of Van Ginkel’s extension received widespread acclaim. Social media was flooded with congratulatory posts from fans, while former colleagues and pundits praised the Vikings for acknowledging his worth.
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah characterized the extension “a masterclass in rewarding performance while maintaining future flexibility.”
The Dolphins’ fan base, though, reacted with bittersweet admiration as a former draft stud flourished as a star on another team.
“I always rooted for him in Miami,” a fan tweeted. “Happy to see him get his due even if it is in purple and gold.”
What’s Next for Van Ginkel and the Vikings?
As training camp approaches in July, hopes will be high for Van Ginkel and the Vikings defense. With weapons brought on board on offense and continuity on defense for a full season to come, Minnesota’s considered by many a viable NFC contender.
Van Ginkel won’t let last season’s praises go to his head, though.
“There’s so much more we can do,” he said. “We took steps in 2024, but we’re not content. I want a ring. That’s why I’m here.”
If his 2024 season was any indication, the Vikings’ risk to extend him could be one of the best offseason investments.
