MN Vikings Extend Tight End Who Previously Had No Such Interest…

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Josh Oliver - Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

It’s day one of 2025 NFL mandatory minicamp, which means the entire Minnesota Vikings team is gathered in Eagan today at TCO Performance Center, where they will be allowed to practice in ways that were not permitted during phase two of of the NFL offseason, which recently wrapped up.

These next three days of minicamp workouts will also allow for more time (10 hours per day for a max of 24 hours total) than what has been allowed under the NFL CBA so far during phase three (6 hours per day for a max of three days). But then, as players were arriving in Eagan Tuesday morning, some surprising news broke.

Minnesota Vikings sign Josh Oliver to contract extension

As first reported by Tom Pelissero (NFL Network), the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a contract extension with 28-year-old tight end Josh Oliver, who was selected 69th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Oliver’s fresh new deal is worth three years, $23.25 million and will keep him in Minnesota through the 2028 season.

Oliver played three NFL seasons (in four years), mostly with the Ravens, before signing with the Vikings prior to the 2023 season. In two purple campaigns, the San Jose State alum has hauled in 44 receptions for 471 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings Running Back Lands Tryout in New Orleans

Prior to arriving in Minnesota, Josh Oliver had totaled just 26 receptions for 230 yards and 2 TDs. That, along with the increased priority from head coach Kevin O’Connell to run the football in 2025, re-upping on the best blocking tight end in football makes sense… on its face.

Oliver extension goes against recent reporting

But it’s surprising the news drops today, less than one week after Darren Wolfson (KSTP) reported on SKOR North Thursday that he saw pretty much no chance of a Josh Oliver extension prior to the start of the Minnesota Vikings 2025 regular season, let alone training camp or (god forbid) minicamp.

I think, at this point, Josh Oliver hits unrestricted free agency next March, which my understanding, is he would be okay with…He’s moved around already. He sure likes it here, he is banking on himself having a good year this year, then being in a position to sign a third contract, maybe even back here. But not signing a contract extension like before training camp. I don’t think that is happening unless things change.

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)

I have no doubt that what Wolfson was told last week was legitimate, at the time. Was he used by the Josh Oliver camp to induce more serious negotiations on the side of the Minnesota Vikings?

That’s certainly possible. Either way, Josh Oliver will be he for the foreseeable future, which is a much different reality than what we were told heading into last weekend. No matter how it went down though, the Oliver extension is a big time W for Kevin O’Connell’s offense and the MN Vikings’ chances in 2025.

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