On Monday afternoon, the Minnesota Vikings announced their first move of free agency. Per NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo, they agreed to terms with former Baltimore Ravens tight end Josh Oliver on a lucrative three-year, $21 million dollar contract.
The #Vikings have agreed to terms with TE Josh Oliver on a three-year, $21 million deal, source says. He gets $10.75 million guaranteed and has incentives that can take the deal up to $24 million. One of the best blocking tight ends in the league.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2023
While some fans may have anticipated a different first move, the news has sparked lively discussions on Twitter as fans and analysts alike share their thoughts on the Vikings’ latest addition.
I ain’t going to lie, I’ve never even heard of Josh Oliver.
— Your sources source. (@SkolBros) March 13, 2023
It’s ok guys we have until Wednesday for Josh Oliver to back out
— KSG (@KSG_SKOL) March 13, 2023
The Vikings are giving Josh Oliver one dollar for every future Justin Jefferson target.
Interesting move. https://t.co/cygZfJOfVf
— Zachary Krueger (@ZK_FFB) March 13, 2023
#vikings fans seeing the Josh Oliver news pic.twitter.com/2NwpgqTIyL
— Ali Siddiqui (@asiddiqui15) March 13, 2023
Did not think Josh Oliver was going to get THAT kind of money
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) March 13, 2023
Josh Oliver? Like the tight end?
— Joe Dolan (@FG_Dolan) March 13, 2023
I waited 3 hours for Josh Oliver news bruh
— S.BG.TCU. (@NaGOAToroszn2) March 13, 2023
Why is KWESI doing this
— Skol Floppa (@D34THWR3CKER) March 13, 2023
Actually who is that
— Mangoman (@Mangoman16111) March 13, 2023
Who decided to give Josh Oliver $7 million per year?
pic.twitter.com/r9kM2KpAPy— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) March 13, 2023
While some are questioning the move made by the Vikings and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, this move could prove to be very beneficial. The contract itself might not be as bad as it’s being reported.
it's $10.75M guaranteed over three years for a really, really high-level blocker it's not only not a bad deal, it's actually a good deal https://t.co/SF1q1JpAbX
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) March 13, 2023
#Vikings TE Josh Oliver athletic testing. Obviously a bunch of injuries have more to do with his athleticism in his current state but here's the starting point pic.twitter.com/p7kr15cF7Z
— Luke Braun (@LukeBraunNFL) March 13, 2023
Josh Oliver was ranked as the 2nd best run blocking tight end last season according to PFF.
After a season where the Vikings didn’t run the ball as much as they had hoped
This move proves the #Vikings are commitment to running the ball more next season. https://t.co/nreknzj08K
— Matt Anderson (@MattAnderson_8) March 13, 2023
Some info on Vikings free agent signing Josh Oliver:
* 25 years old (fits the window)
* 2nd best run-blocking TE in NFL last season, per @pff
* 3rd rd pick by Jags in 2019, traded to Ravens in 2021 after hamstring / foot injuries
* Ran 3rd fastest 40 of any TE at '19 combine
— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) March 13, 2023
This is an interesting one. Feels like a signal to more 12 personnel https://t.co/jeXsBDfpBN
— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) March 13, 2023
