A few days ago, it was revealed that the Minnesota Vikings had agreed to an offer sheet with Buffalo Bills restricted free-agent offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark. The Bills had until this upcoming Monday to match Minnesota's offer if they wanted to keep Van Demark around for the 2026 season.
Well, on Friday, NFL Media's Tom Pelissero shared that the Vikings found out that Ven Demark is going to be joining them this year, as the Bills have reportedly decided not to match the offer sheet.
Pelissero also added that Van Demark's deal with Minnesota will keep him under contract until 2027, and it includes a fully guaranteed amount of $4.2 million.
Minnesota Vikings improve OT depth with addition of Ryan Van Demark
Last season, injuries forced Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right tackle Brian O'Neill to miss a combined 10 games. For the most part, Minnesota turned to Justin Skule to fill in for Darrisaw and O'Neill, and it didn't go well at all.
In 12 appearances with the Vikings last year, Skule allowed 29 pressures and seven sacks, which were easily more than any other offensive tackle on the team. Only Will Fries gave up more pressures (37) last season for Minnesota, but the veteran guard also played almost double the snaps in 2025 that Skule did.
Compared to Skule, Van Demark should be a major upgrade as a reserve offensive tackle. It's a low bar to clear, but in nine appearances with Buffalo last year, Van Demark only allowed nine pressures and two sacks.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell watched his quarterbacks take a beating last season whenever his top offensive tackles weren't on the field, so Friday's signing is a way to make sure that doesn't happen again in 2026.
Van Demark is also just the third exterior signing Minnesota has made in free agency this offseason, as cornerback James Pierre and punter Johnny Hekker are the only two other players signed by the Vikings this year who were with other teams last season.