Minnesota Vikings Make it Official with New DT

Free agency has treated the Minnesota Vikings well… and it technically only started a couple of hours ago. During the negotiating window on Monday and Tuesday, they built up both trenches and sured up the secondary.

On the defensive line, the Vikings inked 30-year-old Pro-Bowler Jonathan Allen, then followed that up with another Pro-Bowl interior talent, 32-year-old DT Javon Hargrave, who had 18 sacks and 30 QB hits between 2022 and 2023, his last full healthy seasons.

Javon Hargrave signs deal with Minnesota Vikings

Unlike Allen, Hargrave was not a pending free agent during the legal tampering period. He needed to officially be released by the San Francisco 49ers, in order for the Vikings to officially move in on him. When that came to be Wednesday afternoon, the deal in Minnesota was announced — 2 years, $30 million ($19 million guaranteed).

Done deal: Two-time Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave and the #Vikings agreed to terms on a two-year, $30 million contract after his release from the #49ers. https://t.co/Ue0GHtzziC

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2025

Related: Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Signings – 2025

Hargrave has piled up 380 tackles (55 TFL), 45.5 sacks, 79 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles and 8 pass deflections in his 9 year NFL career. Last season, the former 89th overall draft pick (2016) played in just three games due to a torn triceps injury, a risk that made the No. 11 overall free agent (per The Athletic) a bit cheaper.

Vikings leaning on recently injured studs

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has looked to extract value from injured players this offseason. The Minnesota Vikings signed guard Will Fries coming off a fractured tibia, Allen suffered a torn pectoral muscle, and Ryan Kelly had a knee injury.

Previous injury doesn’t necessarily indicate future issues, and that seems to be the thought process that Adofo-Mensah is operating within. By adding players with some warts, Minnesota has been able to utilize their immense cap space on multiple holes and bring in players with sizable upside.

Related: Vikings’ New Free Agent Deal Just Got Sweeter

Hargrave and Allen should be expected to operate within the trenches alongside returning veteran Harrison Phillips. Minnesota’s front is arguably as formidable as it has ever been.