Andrew Van Ginkel’s signing with the Minnesota Vikings has turned out to be a significant move, showcasing his ability to make an impact on the field. His performance, including a two-sack game against the Tennessee Titans, highlights why he was a sought-after free agent in the NFC. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Philadelphia Eagles showed interest in Van Ginkel during the offseason. However, they ultimately found him “a touch too expensive.”
The Vikings’ decision to bring Van Ginkel on board is paying off, particularly with his reunion with Brian Flores, the team’s defensive coordinator. Van Ginkel’s effectiveness has stood out, contributing to the Vikings’ defense, while the Eagles settled for Zack Baun, who has also excelled for them. The early results suggest both teams made moves that suited their needs, but Van Ginkel’s contribution to the Vikings has been especially notable.
The Vikings setting the market for Van Ginkel proved to be a worthwhile venture.
Signing a two-year, $20 million contract in March, Van Ginkel has outplayed his $3.4 million cap hit in 2024 tremendously. He leads the Vikings with 8.0 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and has two pick-6s.
After his Week 11 performance, Van Ginkel became the third player in NFL history to log at least 8.0 sacks and multiple pick-6s in a single season, joining Terrell Suggs in 2008 and Jason Taylor during his 2006 Defensive Player of the Year run.
Through 10 games, Over The Cap has valued Van Ginkel’s play to be worth a $14 million-a-year contract (the site has not accounted for his past two games that should boost his valuation in the ballpark of $20 million a season) as part of a successful replacement plan from Danielle Hunter.
The other half of that plan: Jonathan Greenard — who signed a four-year, $76 million deal in the offseason — is currently third in pressures (51) this season and has 7.0 sacks on the year.
Their combined $9.1 million cap hit for the 2024 season is less than Hunter’s with the Houston Texans. Hunter signed a two-year, $48 million deal, with a 2024 cap hit of $13.1 million. Hunter has 6.0 sacks and 42 pressures this season.
Few players in the league are as physically gifted as Hunter. But Flores’ defense demands more versatility as he opted to find smaller outside linebackers who can also drop into coverage.
Last season, Flores got more out of the defensive talent he largely inherited as holdovers from the Zimmer era.
But this offseason’s shopping spree in free agency has shown how much more Flores can do with talent tailored to his scheme.
Few players embody that mold more than Van Ginkel.
He’s played the most coverage snaps (133) by any edge rusher this season, 51 snaps more than the second-largest total, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
