Earlier this month, it appeared likely he would at least be content to hit the free agent market next March. That worm quickly turned when the Minnesota Vikings added to their run of contract extensions this offseason by agreeing to a three-year, $23.25 million contract extension with tight end Josh Oliver.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Oliver's new deal has $19.9 million in total guaranteed money with a max value of $27.5 million. As of right now, Oliver will be the 16th-highest paid tight end in the league next year based on annual average ($7.75 million) and the 14th-highest paid at the position by total contract value.
The Vikings originally signed Oliver to a three-year, $21 million deal in 2023, so this is the second time they've heavily invested in their No. 2 tight end.
Accolade given to Josh Oliver confirms why the Minnesota Vikings invested in him again
ESPN's Bill Barnwell took a look at some NFL players who excel in certain niches that may go unnoticed. Oliver was, however easily, named the best blocking tight end.
"It's clear that the Vikings see their second tight end as a critical part of the offense. As I was working on this piece, they signed Oliver to a three-year, $23.3 million extension, which would seem to be a lofty figure for a player with 701 career receiving yards across six NFL seasons with three different teams. It's the second time the Vikings have paid Oliver, who joined the team on a three-year, $21 million deal two years ago.
The numbers back up the idea that Oliver is an elite blocker. He ranked fourth among eligible tight ends in ESPN's run block win rate a year ago, finishing just behind a former teammate in now-Jaguars tight end Johnny Mundt. NFL Next Gen Stats credited Oliver with only two pressures allowed across 55 pass-blocking snaps, producing a pressure rate that was just about half the league average among tight ends."
Pro Football Focus has also been complementary of Oliver's work. He earned the best run blocking grade among tight ends last season (73.0), along with the ninth-best overall grade at the position (74.3, one spot behind T.J. Hockenson).
Barnwell did reasonably wonder if Oliver's blocking prowess makes him worth so much more than other tight ends who are regarded as good blockers. As an example, Mundt got $2.8 million per year from the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason.
But unlike others in that vein, Oliver is a real threat as a receiver when called upon (11.7 yards per catch, 140.8 passer rating when targeted last year). The idea other teams could've seen No. 1 tight end potential in him if he had hit the market next March was a not a stretch. But alas, he will remain in Purple for a few more years.
The Vikings clearly want to be more proficient on the ground, this season and moving forward. Extending Oliver, and doing it before training camp to boot, was an easy extension of that plan.