Defensive lineman Khyris Tonga and offensive tackle Blake Brandel will remain with the club in 2023.
2 Moves Kickstart Vikings Free Agency
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis tweeted, “The Vikings have re-signed DT Khyiris Tonga, who, like Blake Brandel, was set to become an exclusive rights free agent. Tonga was a phenomenal mid-season pluck off of the Falcons’ practice squad.”
Aside from future-contract moves right after the Vikings playoff loss, the firing of defensive coordinator Ed Dontell, and the hire of new defensive bossman Brian Flores, the Tonga + Brandel retentions represent the first real personnel moves of the offseason.
Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (95) against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Out of nowhere last season, Tonga was absolutely tremendous, tabulating a 77.9 Pro Football Focus grade, the 13th-best mark in the NFL among interior defensive linemen. The score was also the eighth-best on the Vikings roster. Like Brandel, he’ll remain with the Vikings on an incredibly affordable deal, one year for $940,000.
The BYU alumnus played 11 games in 2022 while starting 2 and registered 28 total tackles, 4 passes defended, 2 QB hits, 2 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah preaches value ad nauseam, and retaining Tonga for $940,000 with that PFF grade (and that abbreviated statline) adheres to the spirit of Adofo-Mensah’s philosophy.
Based on Tonga’s 2022 production, the man could theoretically start on the Vikings defensive line this fall if incumbent defender Dalvin Tomlinson, a free agent, is not re-signed.
Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Blake Brandel (64) during the NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports.
For the offensive line, Brandel will stay, too, and he’s been a part of the Vikings roster longer than Tonga. Former GM Rick Spielman selected Brandel from the 6th Round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Oregon State product has floated between the active roster and practice squad since. He tallied a 55.3 PFF grade in 2022, participating in 9 games, 3 as a starter, for 275 offensive snaps.
Brandel was showcased more often last year when injuries beset Christian Darrisaw. But Brandel injured his MCL in December, hit Injured Reserve, and wasn’t activated again until the postseason.
For the offensive line, Brandel will stay, too, and he’s been a part of the Vikings roster longer than Tonga. Former GM Rick Spielman selected Brandel from the 6th Round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Oregon State product has floated between the active roster and practice squad since. He tallied a 55.3 PFF grade in 2022, participating in 9 games, 3 as a starter, for 275 offensive snaps.
Brandel was showcased more often last year when injuries beset Christian Darrisaw. But Brandel injured his MCL in December, hit Injured Reserve, and wasn’t activated again until the postseason.
The Vikings are set at left and right tackle with the aforementioned Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, but the Brandel transaction can be labeled a “depth move” and reduces the necessity for Adofo-Mensah signing a newcomer in free agency or selecting an OT in April’s draft. Of course, Adofo-Mensah could still get deeper at tackle from either venue, but Brandel is a trustworthy backup to Darrisaw and O’Neill after three seasons in the league.
Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota has about four weeks to slither under the NFL’s salary cap threshold, so the Tonga and Brandel additions are a mini-shots-fired moment to begin the process. The Vikings are roughly $23 million over the cap as of February 16th.