Minnesota Vikings
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 22: Andrew DePaola #42 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 22, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings have been a bit quiet in the opening days of the “legal tampering” period of free agency.
After noon eastern time on Monday, NFL teams were allowed to negotiate new contracts with free agents. Players can verbally agree to these deals, but can’t sign them until Friday.
The Vikings exercised this when they agreed to terms with former Steelers CB James Pierre. That deal is a 2-year/$8.5 million bargain. Included is a $2.5 million signing bonus with $3.7 million in guarantees.
For their next move, the Vikings extended one of their own, whom of which was an All-Pro in 2026.
Vikings, Andrew DePaola Agree To Contract Extension
Minnesota Vikings long snapper Andrew DePaola
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 08: Will Reichard #16 and Andrew DePaola #42 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after a made field goal in the second quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
DePaoloa, a 4-time All Pro long snapper, has agreed to a new deal with the Minnesota Vikings. The report came from ESPN‘s Adam Schefter.
“*Three-time Pro-Bowl long snapper Andrew DePaola is returning to the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year, fully-guaranteed $1.725 million deal, per Sean Stellato.*DePaola now will be snapping for his 12th NFL season.”
The deal is a fully guaranteed 1-year/$1.725 million for DePaola’s bank account.
DePaola, 38, has been nominated as an All Pro four times since coming to Minnesota in 2020. His 2025 nomination was his fourth consecutive.
The Maryland native found his first NFL employment with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012. He went undrafted out of college and worked odds jobs for two years before Tampa Bay called, most notably as a bartender.
He would also make stops with Chicago, Oakland, and Carolina before finding a real home in Minnesota.
Minnesota Places Low Tender On LB Ivan Pace Jr.
Minnesota Vikings
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Ivan Pace Jr. #0 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with teammates after returning a fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
A lot of people expected Pace Jr. to be free to walk this offseason after Eric Wilson stole his job in 2025. As it turns out, it won’t be that cut-and-dry.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on X.
“Vikings are using the low tender on restricted free agent LB Ivan Pace.”
This gives the Vikings the right of refusal to match an offer sheet for the LB. Tyler Forness laid out what it means if no one comes to Pace with an offer.
“Unless someone signs him to an offer sheet, Ivan Pace Jr. will cost $3.52 million on the salary cap.”
For now, Pace Jr. remains a Minnesota Viking. The Vikings hold the leverage in his negotiations. If Pace Jr. is to remain with Minnesota on top of Wilson’s extension, the Vikings could look to take the linebacker position off their list of draft needs in April.
More information will be shared on Pace Jr.’s contract situation as soon as its made available.