Vikings Extend TE Josh Oliver

[Cliff]

Vikings sign TE Josh Oliver to 3-year, $23.25M contract extension

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a contract extension with tight end Josh Oliver, one of the least noticed but most important role players on the team in the past two seasons, the team confirmed Tuesday.

Oliver's three year extension is worth $23.25 million with a max value of $27.5 million, including $11.9 million in new guarantees and $19.9 million in total guarantees, Andrew Kessler of Athletes First told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Oliver's current deal, signed prior to the 2023 season, was set to expire next spring. He is now signed through the 2028 season.

[CharVike]

Josh Oliver has been productive for us. The Minnesota Vikings have a total of $26.3 million invested in the tight end position for the 2025 season, which ranks them second in the NFL in terms of total cap space allocated to that position. I wonder if it will mean more 2 TE sets?

[Cliff]

[Cliff]

Josh Oliver has been productive for us. The Minnesota Vikings have a total of $26.3 million invested in the tight end position for the 2025 season, which ranks them second in the NFL in terms of total cap space allocated to that position. I wonder if it will mean more 2 TE sets?

I think so, but I think it also has a lot to do with his value to the running game.

Why 'blocking tight end' Josh Oliver is so valuable to the Vikings

There were those who didn't get it when the Vikings' first move of free agency in 2023 was to sign Josh Oliver to a three-year, $21 million deal. There may be those who still didn't get it when the Vikings signed Oliver to a three-year, $23.25 million contract extension on Tuesday. Why so much money for a "blocking tight end?"

Well, because blocking has substantial value when you do it as well as Oliver does. He's a 6'5", 260-pound tight end who moves people in the running game and can hold up in backside pass protection against edge rushers. He's also a very capable pass-catcher, having recorded 22 receptions in each of his two seasons in Minnesota. That makes him a matchup problem when the Vikings are in 12 personnel (two tight ends).

Last year, there were 85 tight ends who had at least 100 blocking snaps in the regular season. Oliver's 74.5 PFF run blocking grade led that group by a wide margin (George Kittle was second at 70.8 ). In 2023, Oliver was sixth out of 83 in that metric. PFF hasn't graded him quite as highly in pass blocking, but part of that might be because of the difficult assignments the Vikings give him — assignments most teams understandably shy away from giving to their tight ends.

[CharVike]

Josh Oliver has been productive for us. The Minnesota Vikings have a total of $26.3 million invested in the tight end position for the 2025 season, which ranks them second in the NFL in terms of total cap space allocated to that position. I wonder if it will mean more 2 TE sets?

I think so, but I think it also has a lot to do with his value to the running game.

Why 'blocking tight end' Josh Oliver is so valuable to the Vikings

There were those who didn't get it when the Vikings' first move of free agency in 2023 was to sign Josh Oliver to a three-year, $21 million deal. There may be those who still didn't get it when the Vikings signed Oliver to a three-year, $23.25 million contract extension on Tuesday. Why so much money for a "blocking tight end?"

Well, because blocking has substantial value when you do it as well as Oliver does. He's a 6'5", 260-pound tight end who moves people in the running game and can hold up in backside pass protection against edge rushers. He's also a very capable pass-catcher, having recorded 22 receptions in each of his two seasons in Minnesota. That makes him a matchup problem when the Vikings are in 12 personnel (two tight ends).

Last year, there were 85 tight ends who had at least 100 blocking snaps in the regular season. Oliver's 74.5 PFF run blocking grade led that group by a wide margin (George Kittle was second at 70.8 ). In 2023, Oliver was sixth out of 83 in that metric. PFF hasn't graded him quite as highly in pass blocking, but part of that might be because of the difficult assignments the Vikings give him — assignments most teams understandably shy away from giving to their tight ends.

I didn't get it myself when they signed him initially especially when it was pointed out that he was a block only guy. He does have tremendous size and strength for the position which I always like. But he knows how to put himself into position to make blocks which is needed regardless of size. You need players to do the dirty work at a high level and that's him.

[VikingLord]

I have another theory on this signing. A lot of analysts who watch the Vikings say McCarthy is really good at working the middle of the field. He might not be a gunslinger on deep routes (yet), but he's been very good throwing it to the middle 3rd of the field, and that is where TE's and slot receivers tend to be the most effective receiving options. So it makes sense to have TE's that the QB can grow into the position with. The Vikings have one of the best in TJ, and now by extending Oliver they ensure McCarthy has another. Oliver might not be known as a receiving TE but as CharVike noted he is a big guy with an impressive wingspan who I think can present some mismatch problems for opposing defenses in certain situations. If JJ is as effective working that middle 3rd of the field in the passing game as early reports suggest, TJ could be headed for a huge year and Oliver might also show up on the stat sheet a bit more as well.