The Minnesota Vikings announced via Snapchat Sunday that they’ve signed K Blair Walsh to a contract extension.
- Jason La Canfora reports that Walsh’s new contract is a four-year extension worth up to $14 million and includes $5.25 million guaranteed.
- This contract will make Walsh among the top-five highest paid kickers in the NFL.
Walsh has said previously that he would “love” to remain with the Vikings, and the fact that the Patriots were able to lock up franchise K Stephen Gostkowski a few weeks ago likely aided the process.
“I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Minnesota Vikings moving forward,” Walsh said in a statement. “I’d like to thank Rick Spielman, the Wilf family, Coach Zimmer, Coach Priefer and Rob Brzezinski for giving me this opportunity. I’m proud to be able to stay with the team that drafted me coming out of college and I look forward to what is in store for the future of this organization.”
“Blair has been a vital part of our special teams success since we drafted him and we felt it was very important to secure his future with our organization,” said GM Rick Spielman. “His consistency on kickoffs and on long range field goals can help change the game for our team and we’re excited for his future here in Minnesota. This extension stays true to our philosophy of drafting young talent, developing them in our system and rewarding their success.”
Walsh, 25, was in the final year of his four-year, $2.2 million rookie contract and stands to make a base salary of $660,000 for the 2015 season.
In 2014, Walsh converted 26 of 35 field goal attempts (74.3 percent), which included making five of nine attempts from 50 yards or more. He also made all 29 extra point tries for the Vikings and tallied 48 touch backs. Pro Football Focus has Walsh rated as the No. 11 kick out of 57 qualifying players.
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