Report: Vikings are interested in extending Stephen Weatherly

The young defensive end is currently entering the final year of his contract with the Minnesota Vikings after the team selected him in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Entering the final round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings had two more opportunities to add some young talent to their roster. With these two selections in the seventh round, the Vikings selected Vanderbilt pass rusher Stephen Weatherly and Clemson safety Jayron Kearse.

Both Weatherly and Kearse are still members of Minnesota’s roster, but each of them are also entering the final year of their current contracts. So the upcoming season could potentially be their last in a Vikings uniform.

However, Minnesota is apparently interested in at least keeping Weatherly around past 2019. According to his agent, Blake Baratz, the Vikings would like to possibly give the young defensive end an extension in the near future.

"“We’ve had some discussions He definitely would like to be here. The Vikings want him here. I don’t think there’s a timetable on it. A lot of things have got to play out first, but I think it’s a desire on both parties.”"

Weatherly played sparingly for Minnesota during his first two years with the team in 2016 and 2017. But last season, he had the opportunity to be a starter for six games while Everson Griffen missed some time to work on his mental health.

Weatherly was able to take advantage of his increase in opportunities last year and he finished with 35 total tackles, eight quarterback hits, three sacks, and one forced fumble. Of his three sacks from last season with the Vikings, two of them happened when he was a starter.

Given his progression over the last three years, there is a good chance that Weatherly still hasn’t played his best football for Minnesota. The Vikings have seemed to notice this and they are also aware of his value to the depth of their defensive line.

Extending Weatherly’s contract likely isn’t going to break the bank given what his role has been with Minnesota so far. But it could end up being another decision made by the Vikings that turns out to be a steal two or three years down the road.