The Minnesota Vikings may have an uncertain quarterback situation, but they’ve addressed other key areas, particularly the defensive line, by adding Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen through free agency.
However, their spending decisions have raised some concerns.
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak highlighted the moves involving Allen and Hargrave, with a particular focus on the latter, questioning whether the Vikings might have overpaid.
“I wasn’t thrilled about Jonathan Allen’s cost,” Solak wrote on March 26. “Generally, having two 3-technique defensive tackles opposite Harrison Phillips is a smart strategy, and both Allen and Javon Hargrave can make an immediate impact.
But I didn’t expect Allen to command $17 million per year. The defensive tackle market overall came in higher than expected, so maybe this was just the cost of doing business.” According to Spotrac, the Vikings now have the seventh-highest payroll for their defensive line in the NFL, compared to ranking 28th in 2024.
Solak’s view isn’t unique. Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon echoed his opinion, naming Allen as one of the NFL’s “most overpaid players” in free agency. “At 30, past his prime, and coming off a couple of declining seasons, Allen somehow secured a three-year, $51 million deal with the Vikings,” Gagnon wrote on March 26. “It’s simply too much money given his recent performance and injury history.”
While Solak wasn’t entirely sold on the value, he acknowledged the Vikings’ strategy. “Allen is now the 15th-highest-paid defensive tackle, and Hargrave ($15 million per year) ranks 18th,” Solak noted. “Although Allen’s deal was pricier than expected (and Hargrave’s too), the underlying strategy makes sense. I just wish it had come at a lower cost.”
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah emphasized that the team aims to build a roster capable of supporting a young quarterback, and strengthening a defense that ranked second in run defense and fifth in scoring is a step in that direction.
As for Allen, the Vikings are hopeful he will make an impact. Allen, who was drafted by the Washington Commanders, expressed his excitement about joining Minnesota and reuniting with head coach Kevin O’Connell. In a recent interview with Rich Eisen, Allen shared his gratitude toward the Commanders for releasing him, emphasizing how important “culture” is in his decision-making process during free agency. The Vikings were aggressive in pursuing him, bringing him in for a workout just one day before signing him.
“Super excited – super, super excited – to be part of this new team and reuniting with Coach O’Connell,” Allen said on “The Rich Eisen Show” on March 28. “The NFL is already hard enough, and nobody wants to work for an organization where players are just showing up for paychecks, focused only on personal stats, and where the culture isn’t conducive to winning.
You can’t win without a good culture. When I talked to Coach O’Connell, [defensive coordinator Brian] Flores, and everyone in Minnesota, it really felt like they’re building something special, and I wanted to be part of that.”
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