On Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings announced that they have agreed to a contract extension with veteran tight end Josh Oliver.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Oliver has signed a three-year extension with the Vikings worth $23.25 million. Schefter also shared that the Minnesota tight end can also make up to $27.5 million if all the incentives in his new deal are met.
After signing with the Vikings during the 2023 offseason, Oliver is now under contract with the franchise through the 2028 campaign.
Offensive intentions for Minnesota Vikings in 2025 are even more clear after Josh Oliver extension
During the last few months, Minnesota has spent a significant amount of resources on improving the trenches and the physicality of its roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
It started in free agency when the Vikings signed center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries. Shortly after the addition of these two talented offensive linemen, Minnesota completed a trade with the San Francisco 49ers that resulted in them acquiring running back Jordan Mason.
These moves seemed to point to the Vikings becoming more serious about getting better at running the football in short-yardage situations. Minnesota struggled in this area last year, and it was part of the reason why the team suffered a loss in the opening round of the playoffs despite winning 14 games in the regular season.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has clearly grown tired of watching his players get shoved around by some of the top teams in the NFC. So, for 2025, he wants Minnesota to be the team that uses its physicality to its advantage.
The Vikings extending Oliver on Tuesday, who is arguably the best run-blocking tight end in the entire NFL, is just the latest step in the team's commitment to getting more physical next season.