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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 25: Andrew van Ginkel #43 of the Minnesota Vikings is congratulated by his teammates after recovring a fumble against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings have made another special teams re-signing.
Yesterday, the team extended All Pro long-snapper Andrew DePaola. Minnesota inked the mainstay to a 1-year/$1.725 million deal, a contract that is fully guaranteed.
They also applied the soft tender to LB Ivan Pace Jr. This gives the Vikings the “right-of-refusal” if another team offers him a contract. Should no other team make an offer, Pace Jr. will remain on the team for a little over $3 million.
The only external signing the Vikings have made thus is former Steelers CB James Pierre. He received a 2 year/$8.5 million. The deal sees Pierre receive a $2.5 million signing bonus and $3.7 million guaranteed.
Vikings Extend CB/ST Tavierre Thomas
Minnesota Vikings
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 25: Tavierre Thomas #37 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a stop with teammates during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
As is common practice, Adam Schefter broke the news on X.
“Defensive back Tavierre Thomas is signing back with the Vikings on a 2-year deal worth $4.6 million, per agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln.”
Schefter’s ESPN colleague, Kevin Seifert, added an important grain of information regarding the signing.
“A core special teams guy. Played 83% of the VIkings’ ST snaps last season.”
Thomas, a Detroit, Michigan native, has been around the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings are his fifth home. He signed with the Cardinals as a UDFA in 2018. Thomas would then make stops in Cleveland, Houston, Tampa Bay, and now Minnesota.
After the loss of punter Ryan Wright to the Saints, the Vikings are locking up the rest of their key special teamers that require a new agreement.
Of course, the major news that we all await today pertains to QB Kyler Murray. The Cardinals are likely to process his release at 4P.M. EST today, opening the door for the Vikings to meet with him.
Minnesota, 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)
DePaola, 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.