The Minnesota Vikings locked down Andrew Sendjo through the 2019 season and the ‘professional’ safety is doing everything right to keep his starting job.
The Minnesota Vikings have been hard at work locking down some of their key defenders the last few years. Big contract extensions like those to defensive end Everson Griffen and cornerback Xavier Rhodes get headlines, but other signings can be just as important.
One scrutinized move the Vikings made was giving safety Andrew Sendejo a four-year, $16 million contract extension on March 5, 2016. However, Sendejo responded by putting up arguably his best season as a professional, netting 69 combined tackles, 4 pass defenses, 2 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries in 14 games.
Minnesota has seemingly made the commitment to Sendejo as a starting safety. Locking him down for $4 million per season could be a bargain if he continues to refine his role with the team.
Recently, Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards talked about Andrew Sendejo and the conversation was captured by the Star Tribune:
"“We all have things we got to improve on,” Edwards said. “But he’s got a lot of strengths he brings to the table.”"
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As with any NFL player, Sendejo will make mistakes. The speed of the game makes it nearly impossible and going against some of the best receivers and ball carriers in the league is a huge challenge. But the safety is working hard to improve each and every day.
"“He’s a true professional. He’s very consistent, day in and day out, of you know what you get with him. That’s a credit to him with his accountability not only to his teammates but to us as far as what we do schematically. Calls and communications, all those things. I think everybody knows his accountability and what he brings to the football field.”"
It isn’t just the football field or team meetings where Sendejo proves himself. Coach Edwards loves his approach to the details of being a professional, such as eating right and getting plenty of rest.
"“I think the big thing is he pays attention to all the little details,” Edwards said. “He’s going to do everything you say about a professional. He’s going to eat right, he’s going to take care of his body. He’s going to get rest. He’s going to be in his playbook and go from the classroom to the field.”"
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The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of young, talented safeties on the roster, but they will have an uphill climb if they hope to take over as a starter for Andrew Sendejo any time soon, since he is under contract through the 2019 season.