The Minnesota Vikings continued revamping their offensive and defensive lines, reaching agreements with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and guard Will Fries on Tuesday. Fries, previously with the Indianapolis Colts, joins center Ryan Kelly in making the move to Minnesota.
A source familiar with the negotiations revealed Fries’ contract is worth $88 million over five years, though it won’t be finalized until the NFL’s signing period begins on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Allen, a two-time Pro Bowler who was recently released by Washington, signed a three-year, $60 million deal. Since Allen was cut for salary cap reasons, the Vikings were able to host him before the signing window officially opened.
Minnesota’s defense was one of the best in the league last season, ranking fifth in points allowed and 10th in yards per play. However, they’ve lacked an interior pass rush. Harrison Phillips has been a reliable presence on the defensive line but is more effective against the run. The team is reportedly set to add another key piece, as defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is expected to sign after being released by the San Francisco 49ers.
On offense, the Vikings have made moves to support quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed his rookie season due to a knee injury. With Sam Darnold now in Seattle, securing protection for McCarthy has been a priority. Fries, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound lineman, appeared in just five games in 2024 due to a broken leg but is viewed as a major upgrade for a long-troubled position—potentially the most significant addition since Steve Hutchinson in 2006.
Fries already has built-in chemistry with Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler who dealt with injuries last season. Kelly’s arrival likely signals the end of Garrett Bradbury’s tenure as Minnesota’s starting center. While the Vikings boast one of the league’s best tackle duos in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, their interior line has struggled, a weakness that was exploited when Darnold was sacked nine times in their playoff loss to the Rams.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores now has even more talent to work with, following last year’s free-agent signings of Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman. Though the team has not officially commented on the new acquisitions, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah posted a smiling photo on social media, seemingly acknowledging the moves.
Hargrave, a two-time Pro Bowler, will be entering his 10th NFL season, while Allen is set for his ninth. Allen, who has 401 career tackles and 42 sacks, ranks fifth in Washington’s history since sacks became an official stat in 1982. He played in just eight regular-season games in 2024, recording three sacks, after missing time with a torn pectoral muscle.
Allen, a former first-round pick out of Alabama in 2017, was one of Washington’s longest-tenured players before his release. He returned late in the 2024 season and helped the Commanders reach the NFC Championship Game. Notably, he shares a history with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who was on Washington’s coaching staff from 2017 to 2019.
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