The Chiefs signed quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a 10-year contract that could be worth as much as $503 million.
Those numbers seem absolutely wild, but if anyone in the NFL deserves that deal, it’s probably Mahomes.
Mahomes’ extension has us all thinking contracts, so why don’t we take a look at who will be the top five highest-paid Vikings for 2020.
Note: This is based on cash earned, not cap hits. All information comes from Spotrac.
QB, Kirk Cousins – $40 million
This comes as no surprise. Cousins is in the final year of the initial three-year deal he signed with the Vikings. This offseason, the quarterback who earned his first-career playoff win signed a two-year, $66 million extension with the Vikings.
DE, Danielle Hunter – $12 million
Hunter has had back-to-back 14.5 sack seasons and in 2019 he became the youngest player in NFL history to record 50 career sacks. Not bad!
For Hunter, this will be the second year of a five-year, $72 million deal that will expire after the 2023 season. After that, Hunter will only be 29 and set for another big pay day.
S, Anthony Harris – $11.441 million
The Vikings put the franchise-tag on Harris, who has been one of the best safeties in the league over the last two seasons. It will be interesting to see what Harris, 28, earns as a free agent next season.
LT, Riley Reiff – $11 million
Reiff is in the third year of a four-year, $58.75 million deal. It will likely be his last. After the season, the Vikings can save more than $11 million if they cut ties with Reiff.
Reiff is fine, but this is more about the Vikings’ need for this position.
LB, Anthony Barr – $10.1 million
Remember when Barr signed with the Jets last offseason? Oh what fun memories! Instead, Barr backed out of that deal and signed a five-year, $67.5 million deal with the Vikings.
Barr maybe hasn’t lived up to the hype, but he’s still a solid playmaker and clearly is someone coach Mike Zimmer trusts.
