Brian Robison Receives 4-Year Contract Extension From Vikings

Sep 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison (96) celebrates a sack during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Browns defeated the Vikings 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings came into the season with a little bit of an issue concerning their defensive line. A little bit of an issue? How about your four best D-linemen being in the final year of their contract? Yeah. The Vikings couldn’t afford to let all four of those guys – Brian Robison, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams and Everson Griffen – hit free agency at once. Somebody needed to be locked up during the season, and that somebody has turned out to be Brian Robison.

On Wednesday it was announced that Robison will receive a four-year extension from the Vikings. According to John Clayton, who should know because he loves Slayer, the deal is worth $28.3 million with $12.15 million guaranteed and a $5 million signing bonus.

So is Robison worth that kind of money? If you believe the Pro Football Focus wonks, the answer is yes. They’ve got Robison ranked in the top 10 among 4-3 defensive ends so far this year. He’s become a pretty decent pass rusher in his time with the Vikings and has developed his swat-down skills to a fairly high level. He’s still not much of a run defender but you can’t have everything.

So now that Robison is locked up, what will the Vikings’ next move be on that defensive line? I’d like to see them lock down Everson Griffen, who has become a big-time clutch playmaker. Jared Allen I truly believe will be walking after this year; Rick Spielman doesn’t like paying big money for older players and Allen probably thinks he can score one more big contract someplace else. Kevin Williams I believe will be gone too, but his replacement is already in place in Sharrif Floyd.

Robison and Griffen as book-end defensive ends with Floyd in the three-tech? Doesn’t sound so bad for the future.

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