Report: Vikings splash by adding Allen, Fries; plan to sign Hargrave
The Minnesota Vikings opened Tuesday with multiple big free-agent additions.
Former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen agreed to terms with the Vikings on a three-year, $60-million contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. The Vikings later confirmed the agreement with Allen, though they didn't specify the financial details.
Allen isn't the only reinforcement coming to the defensive line as the franchise is closing in on a deal with Javon Hargrave, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. The Vikings plan to sign Hargrave once he's officially released by the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday, Pelissero adds.
The Vikings also addressed the offensive side of the trenches, signing former Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Will Fries on a five-year, $88-million contract, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Fries was considered one of the top interior offensive linemen available in free agency. The 26-year-old has started 31 games for the Colts since they drafted him in the seventh round in 2021.
Fries will reunite with former Colts center Ryan Kelly after he agreed to a two-year, $18-million contract Monday.
Allen was released by the Washington Commanders earlier this month after the franchise previously had him on the trade block.
The 30-year-old suffered a pectoral injury in October, which caused him to miss time. However, he returned in December to play the final two games of the 2024 season. Allen finished his last year in Washington with three sacks and three tackles for a loss over eight games.
He spent eight years with Washington, recording 42 sacks and earning two Pro Bowl invites. His best season came in 2021 when he put up a career-high nine sacks. However, that number has declined every season since.
Hargrave had his 2024 season cut to just three games after suffering a partially torn triceps. The 32-year-old joined San Francisco in 2023 and made the Pro Bowl in his first season with the team after recording seven sacks.
Hargrave began his career as a third-round pick of the Steelers in 2016. He has 45.5 sacks and two Pro Bowl nods across nine seasons.
The Vikings also agreed to a deal with cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and re-signed Byron Murphy on Monday.