Secret Extension Talks Happening on Minnesota Vikings Defensive Line…?

We are 48 hours away from the Minnesota Vikings kicking off their 2024 regular season. One of the biggest questions and pivot points to the upcoming season is on defense. Brian Flores is returning just four starters from 2023: Harrison Smith, Byron Murphy Jr, Cam Bynum and Harrison Phillips.

Yesterday, we found out Bynum is playing a little bit of hardball with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, as the two sides try to negotiate a contract extension prior to Sunday’s game. Then, later in the day, TJ Hockenson re-worked his deal, to alleviate some salary cap pressure.

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Watch out for a Harrison Phillips contract extension…

But the Minnesota Vikings front office will continue to crunch the numbers and negotiate their way to a better future for the next two days. And Bynum may not be the most likely beneficiary. According to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North), a sneaky name to watch is interior defensive lineman, Harrison Phillips.

“What about Harrison Phillips? I have not heard a peep about Harrison Phillips, also entering a contract year. I just know they think the world of Harrison Phillips. This is reckless speculation, but if an extension were to get done, before kickoff on Sunday, I would keep an eye on Harrison Phillips.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

Once we get to kickoff in week one, attention usually shifts to football, making contract talks and salary cap maneuvering a bit more difficult. That’s why these contract negotiations are being closely monitored, over the next couple of days.

How good has Phillips been for the Minnesota Vikings?

Harrison Phillips is only 28-years-old, and entering the final year of his deal. As of now, he is the only reliable interior defensive lineman the Vikings currently have on their roster. Extending him makes sense now, from a salary cap standpoint, and in the future, as it locks in one of the organization’s best defenders, long-term.

The former Buffalo Bill had the best season of his career in 2023, especially from a production standpoint. His three sacks were double any other season. Phillips totaled 92 tackles. His previous high was 59, in 2022.

Flores said in his presser last week that Phillips was in charge of shifts for the DL.

They've drawn false starts in critical situations in each of the last two weeks (1st and goal at the one last week, 4th and 1 this week).

The Vikings are winning the mental battle on defense. pic.twitter.com/SrsGFXf76X

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) November 14, 2023

"Disaster signing" puts on run defense clinics like this every single week.

Harrison Phillips is very good at his job. https://t.co/dhmNX58LAp pic.twitter.com/qWVPLED2LF

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) March 13, 2024

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Because he had to play out of position for most of last season, Harrison’s PFF grades do not reflect the same kind of light as his raw statistics. He posted a career-worst 59.7 defensive grade, fully equipped with a 42.2 tackle grade.

How you feel about Harrison Phillips probably has a lot to do with how much respect you pay to PFF grades. Nonetheless, he represents consistency and Brian Flores loves him. Thus, keep your antennas up for a possible extension.