There were quite a few surprising things about the 2025 NFL season for the Minnesota Vikings. Although not all of those things were positive, there were still some aspects of the season that showed promise for the franchise's future.
One of the best parts of last season was the unexpected play of defensive lineman Jalen Redmond. The 27-year-old defender was set to become a free agent this offseason, but was tendered with an exclusive rights offer for 2026.
While there was still the matter of Redmond agreeing to the contract terms and signing his tender, the fit between the 6-foot-3, 305-pound lineman and the purple and gold made a lot of sense for both sides.
Minnesota Vikings officially re-sign DL Jalen Redmond for the 2026 NFL season
On Tuesday, the Vikings announced that Redmond has officially signed his exclusive rights tender and will join his Minnesota teammates for the 2026 NFL season.
Redmond earned a lot of playing time last season. In fact, he went from playing 24 percent of Minnesota's defensive snaps in 2024 to playing a whopping 74 percent in 2025 despite the Vikings spending a lot of money on more experienced defensive linemen.
The increase in snaps played led to an explosion of production in 2025. Redmond had 62 combined tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits, six sacks, five passes defended, and two fumble recoveries.
Redmond seems poised to take on an even bigger role in Brian Flores' defense in 2026 since some of the players ahead of him on the depth chart are no longer with the team, paving a route for him to earn a potential starting role.
The road to success in the NFL isn't always an easy one. Redmond joined the league as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, but was waived before playing a regular-season game and didn't get another opportunity for a while.
Redmond joined the XFL's Arlington Renegades in 2024, where he stood out enough to get another chance in the NFL. This time, it was Minnesota who got him on its practice squad and eventually elevated him to the 53-man roster.
Now it is Redmond's time to shine. Last season may have seen him break out for the Vikings, but it doesn't mean his place is secured. He will need to continue to work hard to prove that he has earned his place and can continue to be a productive player for the franchise.
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