Brandon Beane, Buffalo Bills
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(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings bolstered their roster on March 20 by signing offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark, a move that adds valuable depth after injuries sidelined both of their starting tackles in 2025.
Van Demark spent the majority of his career with the Buffalo Bills and entered the offseason as a restricted free agent.
Buffalo placed the lowest-level tender on him, which meant they had the right of first refusal on the Vikings’ one-year, fully guaranteed $4.2 million offer. On March 20, the Bills informed Minnesota it would not match the offer, clearing the way for the deal.
On March 23, Bills insider Sal Capaccio shared the true reason why the Bills decided not to match the Vikings’ offer.
“I think this is a really close call because it isn’t much more than what they were willing to pay him anyway,”Capaccio said during his appearance on WGR 550. “But I think when you look at the numbers and say, can we have a backup swing tackle on our books for $4.2 million when we also have other guys that we think might be able to do the job at a far less rate?
“Tylan Grable actually won that job from Ryan Van Demark two years ago. Then he had a concussion last year, and Van Demark got it back and never gave it back last year, even when Grable was ready to play. But Grable is making like $1.3 million, $1.4 million, $1.3 million, I think, on the cap this year. That’s a far less number, and if you are comfortable with him, then you can understand that.”
Bills Also Have a Cheaper Player Ready to Do the Job
Moreover, along with Grable, Capaccio noted that the Bils spent a draft pick on someone who can do Van Demark’s at a cheaper cost.
“In the meantime, you have Chase Lundt, who you drafted last year, who you feel maybe you kept on the team all last year knowing he could play both guard and tackle,” Capaccio added. “We’ll see where that washes out. So I just think at the end of the day, as much as they like VanDemark, I think it was a tough decision and they probably figured it’s a little bit too rich for our blood.”
Vikings Predicted to Bolster D-Line Next
Speaking of linemen, the Vikings are predicted as a landing spot for a defensive lineman in free agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who reportedly intends to play this upcoming 2026 NFL season.
As a result, FanSided’s Austen Bundy believes that the Vikings would be an ideal landing spot if Wilkins can prove that he’s healthy.
“The departures of DTs Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen will be felt in Minneapolis. Despite mediocre grades, the pair were veteran presences that will need tobe filled,”Bundy wrote in his article published on March 22. “Youngsters like Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins can’t be expected to pick up that slack on their own.
“Wilkins would be a significant addition who is already familiar with the defensive style in Minnesota. He played for Brian Flores when he was drafted by theMiami Dolphins. A reunion could benefit the Vikings, especially when their dominant defense was the only thing keeping them afloat last season.”