SPORTZONE27

Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear that the inside offensive line needed to improve following Sam Darnold’s playoff-record nine sacks in a season-ending defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wild-card round.

However, the guard market was volatile, resulting in Minnesota’s risky $88 million wager.

The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed Trey Smith. The Chicago Bears traded and extended Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, while the Green Bay Packers signed Aaron Banks to a lucrative contract.

With limited quality options left in free agency, the Minnesota Vikings took a calculated risk on former Colts guard Will Fries, who is recovering from a broken tibia, signing him to a sizable five-year, $88 million contract.

According to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times, the Seattle Seahawks wanted Fries to undergo a physical on the first day of free agency, but Fries opted not to wait. Instead, he accepted Minnesota’s offer, which didn’t initially require a physical. He later passed one after arriving in Minnesota.

During the first day of voluntary OTAs, head coach Kevin O’Connell provided an update, saying Fries won’t fully participate this spring but is on track for training camp readiness.

“I’m not sure we’ll see him fully active this spring,” O’Connell said on May 28. “But I’m very optimistic we’ll have him for training camp. He may do some limited work over the next couple of weeks. He’s in a good place.”

Although there are valid concerns, Fries brings significant upside. Drafted in the seventh round in 2021, he outperformed expectations and was playing at an elite level before his injury in 2024. His contract ranks 10th among guards in average annual value.

That said, Fries has only played a full 17-game season once in four years and had consistently low Pro Football Focus grades before last season.

The Vikings built flexibility into the deal—it effectively functions as a two-year contract, with an option to move on in 2027, incurring a $12 million dead cap hit but also freeing up $9.5 million in cap space.

In the end, the Vikings likely made the smart move. There weren’t many prime-age guards available when free agency began. Still, if Fries struggles to stay healthy, the size of his deal could quickly become a point of contention.