Vikings extend Pro Bowl edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel
The Minnesota Vikings and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel reached an agreement on Tuesday on a one-year, $23 million contract extension coming off his first Pro Bowl selection and a career-high 11 1/2 sacks last season.
The deal, negotiated with the Vikings by Van Ginkel's agents Drew Rosenhaus and Jason Rosenhaus, includes $22.4 million guaranteed. The 29-year-old Van Ginkel tied with teammate Jonathan Greenard for fourth in the NFL in 2024 with 18 tackles for loss.
Van Ginkel returned two interceptions for touchdowns with six passes defensed and one forced fumble in a breakout season, his first with Minnesota after signing a two-year, $20 million contract as a free agent following five seasons with Miami.
The arrival of Van Ginkel and Greenard was instrumental in ramping up the pass rush for defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who was the head coach of the Dolphins during Van Ginkel's first three years in the league. Van Ginkel was a fifth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin.
Van Ginkel was also named to the All-Pro second team last season.
The extension will also give Van Ginkel more time to mentor young rusher Dallas Turner, whom the Vikings traded up to draft in the first round last year. Turner and Van Ginkel have similar size and some comparative athletic testing, so the young linebacker is a natural fit to play Van Ginkel's role in Flores' defense.
