The move from the Miami Dolphins to the Minnesota Vikings continues to pay off for Andrew Van Ginkel. After spending five seasons with the Dolphins, the former Wisconsin football linebacker has found his stride in Minneapolis.
Last offseason, Van Ginkel signed a two-year, $20 million deal with Minnesota. The move reunited Van Ginkel with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who was Miami’s head coach when Van Ginkel was drafted.
Reunited with his former head coach, Van Ginkel had a standout year with the Vikings. On the heels of his career-best campaign. Minnesota’s front office rewarded the Rock Valley, Iowa native with a huge payday.
Former Wisconsin Football Linebacker Signs Extension with Minnesota Vikings
According to a report from ESPN‘s Adam Schefter, Van Ginkel reached an agreement to remain in Minnesota for an additional season on Tuesday. According to the agents of the seven-year NFL veteran, the contract is a one-year extension worth $23 million, with $22.4 million guaranteed.
The former fifth-round pick is now slated to remain in Minneapolis through the 2026 season.
Van Ginkel excelled in Flores’ blitz-heavy defense. Minnesota blitzed on a greater proportion of plays than any other defensive unit in the NFL last year. As a result, the unit finished sixth in pressure rate, fourth in quarterback hurries, and fourth in sacks. Van Ginkel took down the quarterback a career-high 11.5 times.
Andrew Van Ginkel Rewarded Following Career-Best NFL Season
Those 11.5 sacks made for a breakout campaign by Van Ginkel, who had only recorded 17 total sacks in his previous five seasons. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound edge rusher also contributed career highs with 29 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. He returned both of his picks for touchdowns.
After helping Minnesota advance to the playoffs, Van Ginkel earned his first career Pro Bowl selection, was named an AP Second Team All-Pro, and finished seventh in the race for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
In college, Van Ginkel spent two seasons with the Wisconsin football team. He earned All-Big Ten honors in his final season of eligibility. In his redshirt senior campaign, Van Ginkel started ten games at outside linebacker and led the Wisconsin Badgers defense with 5.5 sacks.
Before arriving in Madison, Van Ginkel spent two seasons at the FCS level with the South Dakota Coyotes and one season playing junior college football at Iowa Western Community College.
