EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have exercised the fifth-year option to retain one of the best blindside blockers in the game.
Christian Darrisaw will remain with the Vikings through the 2025 season, providing the team some additional time to reach a long-term contract with the former first rounder.
Darrisaw is entering his fourth season in Minnesota and has emerged as one of the league's top left tackles. He finished among the top three across the league in pass block grade in each of the past two seasons, which is music to the ears to whichever quarterback — free agent acquisition Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy — is lining up under center.
The Vikings are entering a vital phase for their franchise after allowing quarterback Kirk Cousins to sign a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta in the offseason. Minnesota made the decision to move on from the massive cap hit and hitch its wagon to McCarthy, who was drafted No. 10 overall in last week's NFL Draft.
The Vikings also signed Darnold in the offseason, providing some competition entering training camp, but by making McCarthy the highest quarterback ever selected in franchise history, they're hoping they've found their long-term signal caller.
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