The Minnesota Vikings may still have uncertainty at quarterback, but they have bolstered their defensive line by signing Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen in free agency. However, their aggressive spending has raised some questions.
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak specifically pointed to the contracts for two key stars, expressing concerns about a possible overpay—particularly for veteran star.
“I didn’t love: Just how much veteran cost. In general, double-dipping at 3-technique opposite Harrison Phillips is a shrewd approach, and both stars can provide an immediate impact,” Solak wrote on March 26. “I did not, however, expect veteran star to tip the financial scales at $17 million per year. The entire defensive tackle market came in above my expectation, so perhaps 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, a significant jump from their 28th ranking in 2024. Unfortunately for Minnesota, Solak’s opinion is shared by others.
Jonathan Allen Called Vikings’ ‘Most Overpaid Player’
Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report agrees with Solak, naming Allen as the Vikings’ selection in his list of the “most overpaid player” on every NFL roster after free agency.
“At 30 and past his prime after back-to-back declining seasons, Allen still managed to secure a three-year, $51 million contract with the Vikings,” Gagnon wrote on March 26. “Given his trajectory and recent injury history, it’s simply far too much money.”
Solak acknowledged the Vikings’ reasoning behind their approach.
“Allen is now the league’s 15th-highest-paid defensive tackle, and Hargrave ($15 million per year) is the 18th,” Solak wrote. “While Allen’s contract was pricier than I expected (and Hargrave’s as well), the strategy itself makes sense. I just wish it came at a lower cost.”
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah emphasized their goal of building a roster capable of supporting a young quarterback. Strengthening a defense that ranked second against the run and fifth in scoring is one way to achieve that.
Jonathan Allen Looking to Make Impact
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was part of the Washington Commanders organization when Allen entered the league as a rookie.
In an interview with Rich Eisen, Allen reflected on that connection and his free agency experience. He expressed gratitude to the Commanders for releasing him and emphasized that “culture” played a crucial role in his decision-making. The Vikings pursued him aggressively, bringing him in for a workout just a day before finalizing his contract.
“I’m super excited—really, really excited—to join this team and reunite with Coach O’Connell,” Allen said on The Rich Eisen Show on March 28.
“The NFL is already tough enough, you know? Nobody wants to play for an organization where guys are just there for a paycheck, focused only on personal stats, and the culture isn’t built to win. It’s hard to succeed without a strong culture. When I spoke with Coach O’Connell, [defensive coordinator Brian] Flores, and the guys in Minnesota, it really felt like they were creating something special—had already built something special—and I just wanted to be part of that.” The Vikings will need Allen’s enthusiasm to translate into on-field production in 2025 and beyond.