The contract extension will pay Phillips up to $19 million over the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with $13 million guaranteed. After departing the Buffalo Bills in the 2022 free agency cycle, Phillips signed a three-year, $19.5 million deal. His time in Minnesota is now set for a fourth and fifth season.
“It’s definitely earned and deserved,” Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores said.
Yes it is.
Harrison Phillips was signed in 2022 to be an immediate fixture in the middle of the Vikings defensive line. His play has been consistent and solid. He also emerged as a team leader. If it wasn’t apparent before, it became obvious a week ago when he was announced as one of team’s captains. His leadership qualities are also seen in his extensive work in the community. Last year, he was the Vikings nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
At 6’3” and 305 lbs, Phillips isn’t quite the hulking presence of most nose tackles. He’ll also never be confused with the quick, quarterback-chasing three-techniques. He’s something of a blend of all of the attributes and skills that make up the top interior defensive linemen around the league. He’s a strong interior presence. He’s a run-stopper. He can make a nuisance of himself in the backfield. He’s a grinder. In Brian Flores’ furious and flexible Vikings defense, the defensive front gets little attention. That’s mostly due to the group being made up of “journeymen” and lightly scouted youngsters. Phillips is the leader of the anonymous group. It won’t take too many more games for this group to prove that they are far better than the individual parts. Phillips is and will be a huge reason for that.
This is a much deserved contract extension. It’s also a modest contract for a very important Vikings player and leader. Phillips was in a contract year. He’s vital to the team now. At 28, he’s also vital to the team for the next few years. He was on track to be a must re-sign in the offseason. The Vikings and Phillips took care of that little issue now.
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