Vikings Make It Official with Their Stud Defender

A Minnesota Vikings defensive back jogs onto the field ahead of a defensive series during NFC Wild Card action on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The moment captures the intensity of postseason play as Minnesota’s secondary prepares to handle explosive threats in a tightly contested playoff matchup.

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images. Outside of draft speculation — there’s a lot of that — the Minnesota Vikings news cycle (actual news) has been quiet over the last couple of weeks.

The franchise snapped that streak on Tuesday, formally locking in defensive tackle Jalen Redmond on an exclusive rights free-agent tender. Minnesota kept a rising defensive lineman in the fold for 2026. Redmond isn’t going anywhere, and although no one thought he would, his presence is official on the Vikings’ 2026 roster .

A Cheap Deal With Bigger Value for Minnesota Redmond will hope to build on two consecutive breakout seasons. Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond lines up across from the Los Angeles Rams offensive front during the NFC wild card playoff battle, Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium, settling into his stance before the snap as Minnesota’s defensive line fights for leverage in a tense postseason matchup with momentum swinging on each possession.