In preparation for the 2025 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings are not wasting any time in building a competitive roster. In order to strengthen a critical area of need, head coach Kevin O’Connell has formally approved a high-impact, multimillion-dollar deal. The Vikings have inked former Indianapolis Colts lineman Will Fries to a five-year, $88 million deal, making him one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in franchise history.
The 26-year-old Fries, who just finished a fantastic season in Indianapolis, is anticipated to provide much-needed steadiness and toughness to the interior offensive line, which had trouble staying consistent during the 2024 season. O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah are reaffirming their dedication to developing the offense from the trenches outward with the addition.
“This is about setting a tone,” said O’Connell in a press conference announcing the change. “We want to control games physically, dominate the line of scrimmage, and protect our quarterback. We can accomplish it with the support of players like Will Fries.
The signing coincides with the Vikings’ busy offseason, as they are obviously readjusting after cutting veterans and renegotiating important contracts. The former Colts teammates were reunited on the interior line when Minnesota signed center Ryan Kelly to a two-year, $18 million contract. The Vikings’ unnamed starting quarterback is supposed to be protected by a unit that Fries and Kelly are anticipated to lead.
Fries is a cultural investment as well as a monetary one.
. He was a team captain in Indianapolis and is renowned for his unwavering motor and locker room presence. He is anticipated to provide seasoned leadership to a youthful offense.
Given how fiercely competitive the NFC North is right now, the Vikings’ aggressive strategy suggests that O’Connell is focused on winning right now. In addition to adding Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to address their defensive issues, the team is reportedly still looking into secondary depth.
“We’re not finished,” Adofo-Mensah declared. However, you don’t pass up the chance to sign a guy like Will. Football games are won in the trenches because of the way he alters the atmosphere there.
The message is unmistakable: the Vikings are rebuilding from the ground up and aren’t scared to invest heavily to do this.
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