Vikings make record-breaking deal with star Christian Darrisaw: Report

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a four-year extension with left tackle Christian Darrisaw, reopening the market with the historic deal.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported details of the extension just minutes after it was announced on July 23.

“It’s a four-year, $113 million extension, with $77 million guaranteed for Christian Darrisaw, whose fifth-year option was exercised in the spring,” Pelissero wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Now he’s in for the long haul.”

Darrisaw was selected 23rd overall in 2021 and secured a contract worth $28.25 million per season, the highest in the league, slightly more than Penei Sewell, who was selected seventh overall in 2021.

The Detroit Lions star right tackle signed a four-year, $112 million contract extension in April after being named to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his three seasons in the league.

Darriaw hasn’t made a Pro Bowl in his career yet, but he didn’t have much left to prove.

After missing the better part of seven games in his first two seasons due to injury, Darrisaw played in a personal-best 15 games and had the third-highest pass-block grade (85.3) among offensive linemen who played at least 50 percent of offensive snaps during the 2023 season, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).

He was the difference maker for a Vikings team that hasn’t had an offensive line ranked among PFF’s top 15 since 2014.

The Vikings unit was ranked 27th on the offensive line by Pro Football Focus (PFF) prior to Darrisaw’s rookie year. The unit has since climbed to a top-10 ranking, finishing 12th last season.

Darrisaw’s contract extension keeps him under contract through the 2029 season.

Christian Darrisaw draws comparisons to Hall of Famer

GettyChristian Darrisaw #71 of the Minnesota Vikings.

When Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell took over the Vikings in 2022, Darrisaw was seen as a key building block for the franchise for the next decade.

Comparisons to San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams began circulating in the national media, quickly connecting Darrisaw and Williams during joint workouts with the two teams in 2022.

Williams agreed with the Vikings about Darrisaw, who watched Williams play for Washington as a kid.

“I love CD,” Williams said of Darrisaw in a 2022 Pioneer Press article. “He’s a great kid. He’s open and eager to learn. He’s physically gifted. … I see a lot of myself in him, especially young Trent.”

Darrisaw had a breakout year that season, posting the second-highest PFF blocking grade (90.4), behind only Williams himself.

Vikings have completed the future of attacking play

GettyJustin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings.

After the Vikings gave Justin Jefferson a historic contract extension, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if they waited a year to extend Darrisaw.

With two of the offense’s youngest stars now signed to long-term contracts, attention turns to the development of JJ McCarthy, the heir apparent to the Vikings’ offense after the team parted ways with Kirk Cousins.

The Vikings are in no rush to release McCarthy.

But their chance to make a run is strong thanks to a star-studded offense, an evolving defense and plenty of room to fill the holes on their roster over the next four seasons.