1-Year, $23 Million Extension Keeps Andrew Van Ginkel in Minnesota Through 2026

In the NFL, it’s rare for a player to go from quietly dependable to a full-on game-changer overnight. But that’s exactly what happened with Andrew Van Ginkel in 2024. The outside linebacker made the most of his first season in Minnesota, turning heads across the league and delivering his best professional season yet. His reward? A massive one-year, $23 million contract extension from the Vikings — and with $22.4 million of it guaranteed, it’s clear the team sees him as a critical part of their future.

Van Ginkel is now signed through the 2026 season, and his performance last year makes it easy to see why Minnesota moved quickly to secure him. The Vikings aren’t just banking on a solid defender. They’re doubling down on a player who’s proven he can change games — and maybe even change the direction of the franchise.

A Career Year in Every Sense

Before arriving in Minnesota, Van Ginkel spent five solid seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He showed flashes of playmaking ability but never quite emerged as a full-on star. That changed in 2024 when he became one of the biggest offseason steals. Signed by the Vikings for a modest two-year, $20 million deal, Van Ginkel exceeded expectations in every possible way.

He started all 17 games — something he had never done before — and racked up 11.5 sacks, 79 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. But it wasn’t just the numbers that told the story. It was how he made those plays. Both interceptions? Returned for touchdowns. The sacks? Often coming in big moments, halting drives and shifting momentum.

By the end of the season, Van Ginkel had been named to his first Pro Bowl, earned second-team All-Pro honors, and finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting. It was the kind of campaign that changes the trajectory of a player’s career — and sets the tone for a team trying to turn the corner.

Betting Big on a Culture-Setter

This deal isn’t just about rewarding past performance. It’s about future leadership.

The Vikings have been in the middle of a defensive overhaul, aiming to reclaim their identity as a gritty, punishing unit after some underwhelming seasons. Van Ginkel isn’t just a piece of that puzzle — he might be the new centerpiece. His energy on the field, combined with his humble, work-first mentality off of it, has made him a locker room favorite.

“Andrew came in and made an instant impact — not just on the field but in how we prepare, how we fight every snap,” one Vikings assistant coach said. “He’s everything you want in a leader.”

Minnesota isn’t shy about its hopes. They believe Van Ginkel can help anchor a defense that complements the team’s promising young offense, including newly drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O’Connell view Van Ginkel as someone who leads by example — and who still hasn’t reached his ceiling.

Highlight-Reel Moments That Mattered

Some defenders pile up stats in blowouts or meaningless games. Van Ginkel made his mark in crucial moments.

In Week 1, he intercepted Daniel Jones and ran it back 38 yards for a touchdown — the first of two pick-sixes in the season. The second came in Week 5 against Aaron Rodgers, during a high-stakes game in London. That score helped Minnesota hold off the New York Jets in a nail-biter that could’ve gone either way.

His best individual performance came in Week 16 against Seattle. With playoff hopes on the line, Van Ginkel recorded two sacks, five tackles, and a forced fumble. The Vikings won that game by three points. Afterward, he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Moments like those are what elevate a player from good to elite — and that’s what the Vikings saw when they opened their checkbook.

Contract Details and Cap Implications

Van Ginkel’s new one-year extension is worth $23 million, a figure that puts him among the highest-paid outside linebackers in the league — at least on a per-year basis. The staggering $22.4 million in guarantees also gives him significant security, which is a big deal for a player entering his age-30 season.

Interestingly, the deal also helps the Vikings in the short term. By extending him now, they’re able to smooth out some of the salary cap impact from his previous two-year contract, giving them more flexibility in free agency and roster moves.

This isn’t a long-term mega deal, but it’s a “prove-it-again” pact with heavy incentives and front-loaded money. And if Van Ginkel performs like he did in 2024, there’s no doubt another bigger contract could be in the works — perhaps even longer than one year next time.

What It Means for the Vikings Future

With this deal done, the Vikings have signaled that they’re serious about keeping their core defensive leaders intact. Van Ginkel joins a list of high-impact veterans the team wants to build around, including safety Josh Metellus, who’s also up for a new deal and is represented by the same agents — Drew and Jason Rosenhaus.

The move also sends a message to the rest of the locker room: If you produce, you’ll get paid. That kind of culture can help motivate younger players and build internal competition, something every contending team needs.

But most importantly, the extension provides continuity. In a league where defenses often shuffle year to year, keeping a productive playmaker in place for multiple seasons provides stability — especially when that player has proven to thrive in the system.

Source: Vikings reward Andrew Van Ginkel with 1-year, $23M extension

A Well-Deserved Rise for a Humble Star

What makes Van Ginkel’s story even more compelling is how quietly he’s gone about building his reputation. He’s not flashy. He doesn’t talk much trash. He doesn’t seek attention.

But he shows up, puts in the work, and lets the results speak. That kind of mentality resonates in a place like Minnesota, where fans appreciate grit and hustle more than headlines.

From his early days at Wisconsin to his time grinding for snaps in Miami, Van Ginkel has always found a way to rise. Now, with the Vikings showing full confidence in his abilities, the stage is set for him to lead not just through action, but through influence.

Final Thoughts: A New Chapter Begins

As the Vikings look to return to playoff form, keeping key players like Van Ginkel locked in is critical. The one-year, $23 million extension is a vote of confidence — and a sign that the team sees him as more than just a guy who had one great season.

They see him as someone who can help define the next chapter of Minnesota football.

And if 2024 was any indication, Van Ginkel is ready for the responsibility.

Read More: George Kittle Signs Massive Contract Extension to Stay with 49ers Through 2029