Kevin O'Connell
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Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings may get their starting QB back next Sunday in Detroit.
The Minnesota Vikings have officially come to terms with a massive tackle to help protect whoever starts at QB.
Earlier this week, Minnesota sent out an offer sheet to Bills tackle Ryan Van Demark. With an offer sheet, the Bills had the right to match it in order to keep in Buffalo.
Today, the Vikings got the good news they’ve been waiting for.
Vikings Land Ryan Van Demark After Bills Decline Offer Sheet
Minnesota Vikings; Ryan Van Demark
GettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 17: Tyler Bass #2 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates his field goal with teammates Sam Martin #8 and Ryan Van Demark #74 during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
The massive tackle in on his way to Minnesota, per Tom Pelissero in a post onX.
“RFA on the move: The Bills will not match the offer sheet to OL Ryan Van Demark, who is headed to the Vikings on a one-year, $4.2 million fully guaranteed deal, sources tell The Insiders.”
Pelissero added some context on to the signing of the former UConn lineman.
“Undrafted out of UConn in 2022 and cut by the Colts out of training camp, Ryan Van Demark played in 43 games (six starts) over the past three seasons with the Bills and now heads to Minnesota on a deal that includes a 2.5 million signing bonus.”
Van Demark will likely play in a swing tackle role when needed for the Vikings. In 2025, the mountain of a man played 94 snaps at LT and 218 snaps at RT. A welcome addition for a Vikings team needing offensive line depth.
Minnesota Gets Ranked Dead-Average In 2026 Power Rankings By PFF
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Pro Football Focus recently published a power ranking of all 32 teams in the NFL. Obviously, with it only being March, these rankings only matter but so much.
However, they do still paint a good picture of the expectations for franchises rolling into the new year. In these rankings, the Vikings found themselves ranked 18th.
“The Vikings’ massive cap deficit in the lead-up to free agency largely hindered the team’s ability to pursue even middle-of-the-market talent. To address some of the most pressing needs on the roster, Minnesota had to get creative and play into the upside of potential targets, which led to the signings of Kyler Murray and cornerback James Pierre.
Getting Murray at the veteran minimum is an incredibly savvy move for the team and player, allowing the Vikings to add viable competition at the position following J.J. McCarthy’s struggles, while also allowing Murray to play under Kevin O’Connell, who has a strong track record for quarterback development.”
Minnesota is ranked right behind the Bengals at 17th and a spot of ahead of the Steelers at 19th. The Vikings are the last-ranked NFC North team, with the Bears at 15th, Lions 6th, and Packers 5th.