Van Ginkel has earned the raise. After five seasons with the Dolphins, the linebacker departed for Minnesota and fit into the Vikings’ defense seamlessly, displaying an occasional knack for making big plays by returning both of his interceptions for touchdowns and nearly snagging a third in the Vikings’ Week 18 loss to the Lions. He closed the season with a career-best 79 tackles, 11.5 sacks and two picks, doing it all and outperforming his contract in the process.
Instead of allowing Van Ginkel to replicate such a performance and set himself up for a pay day in 2026, Minnesota is choosing to give him his money now in exchange for another year of guaranteed services. It’s smart business for a team that expects to contend again after a 14-3 finish in 2024.