Vikings News: First new addition of 2023 is a backup tight end
By Adam Patrick
The Minnesota Vikings news began on Monday with the team reportedly agreeing to a three-year contract with former Baltimore Ravens tight end Josh Oliver.
On the first unofficial day of the 2023 free agency period in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings news included a reported contract agreement between the team and former Baltimore Ravens tight end Josh Oliver, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo.
The #Vikings have agreed to terms with TE Josh Oliver on a three-year, $21 million deal, source says. He gets $10.75 million guaranteed and has incentives that can take the deal up to $24 million. One of the best blocking tight ends in the league.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2023
Vikings News: Who is former Baltimore Ravens TE Josh Oliver?
If you’re thinking that $21 million is a bunch of money to give to a tight end that most Vikings fans likely haven’t heard of before, you wouldn’t be alone.
However, Oliver appears to be someone Minnesota is bringing in to improve their blocking, especially in short-yardage situations. In 2022, he earned the second-best run-blocking grade from PFF among all qualifying tight ends.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has talked this offseason about getting their rushing attack to be more efficient in 2023. Adding someone like Oliver should certainly help improve that efficiency.
In addition to his blocking performance, the 6-foot-5, 249-pound tight end also hauled in 14 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns with the Ravens during the 2022 season.
In an offense that tends to lean more on the passing attack than Baltimore did, Oliver should get more chances to show off his receiving skills with Minnesota in 2023.
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