The Minnesota Vikings’ offense is set for a major shake-up following significant upgrades along the interior offensive line.
With three new starters—center Ryan Kelly, right guard Will Fries, and first-round pick Donovan Jackson at left guard—the Vikings hope to revitalize a run game that’s consistently ranked near the bottom of the league during Kevin O’Connell’s tenure.
This potential improvement could impact the future of tight end Josh Oliver, who’s entering the final year of his $21 million deal. According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Oliver’s camp appears content with testing the free agent market if an extension isn’t reached before next March. “He’s another logical extension candidate, but there’s definitely comfort with him reaching free agency,” Wolfson said on SKOR North.
Oliver was signed in 2023 as a key run-blocking addition and has lived up to that billing, grading as one of the league’s top tight ends in that role—No. 6 in 2022 and No. 4 in 2024 per Pro Football Focus. He also posted career highs last season with 258 receiving yards and three touchdowns while filling in during T.J. Hockenson’s absence.
Though Oliver didn’t fully take over Hockenson’s receiving role, he proved invaluable to the run game, carving out his own niche. He ranked just behind Hockenson as PFF’s 11th-best tight end overall last season, with Hockenson landing at No. 10.
Heading into 2025, the Vikings have a league-high $26.3 million committed to the tight end position, with both Hockenson and Oliver under contract. Oliver’s individual cap hit stands at $9.4 million. Whether he’s earned a new deal at his current $7 million-per-year rate remains to be seen.
Now 28, Oliver could be eyeing one last chance to secure a big payday in free agency while still in his prime—and 2025 will be his chance to prove he’s worth it.
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