The Green Bay Packers heavily invested in offensive guard Aaron Banks, dishing out $77 million dollars to the ex-San Francisco 49er in a 4-year deal. While the news excited many fans, some experts feel that the deal was a significant overpay. Those same critics will likely be staring open-mouthed at the division rival Minnesota Vikings, who paid even more for a different interior offensive linemen less than 24 hours later.
Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Banks Deal Outdone By Minnesota Vikings Contract for Will Fries
Aaron Banks is headed to Green Bay for a hefty price that has garnered some interesting reactions from experts around the NFL. For starters, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell called it “one of the most surprising deals of the day” in his day one recap. Many outlets are giving the deal middling grades of around the B- to C- range.
Less than 24 hours after Banks inked his massive deal, the Packers saw division rivals sign a guard to an even more expensive deal. The Minnesota Vikings paid former Indianapolis Colt guard Will Fries in a 5-year, 88-million-dollar deal.
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The deal is one year longer than the Banks contract given that Fries is one year younger than him. While the deal is less average annual salary, the total cash is greater and in some ways implies a greater commitment. Fries is reportedly set to earn $34 million fully guaranteed out of the total $88 million.
Green Bay Packers Division Rivals Are Heavily Investing In Offensive Linemen
The Minnesota Vikings have also made other moves on the offensive line. They added Fries’ teammate from Indianapolis in center Ryan Kelly, keeping the continuity of the pair. A trusty veteran, Kelly was signed to a 2-year deal involving $18 million.
The Chicago Bears have been making headlines throughout the week on the offensive line, securing multiple interior linemen via trade. 4-time Super Bowl Champion Joe Thuney was acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs, while former Detroit Lion Jonah Jackson was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams. All in all, there will be several remade interior offensive lines in the NFC North this upcoming season.
Across the league, it has been a season of prosperity for offensive linemen. Kansas City signed Trey Smith to a deal that made him the highest-paid offensive guard in the NFL at just over $23 million annual. Former Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Dan Moore Jr. was given over $80 million by the Tennessee Titans.
Elsewhere in the NFC, Atlanta dished out a two-year, nearly fully guaranteed extension for veteran offensive tackle Jake Matthews and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent $22 million to re-sign guard Ben Bredeson. The Philadelphia Eagles also turned heads by trading for Houston Texans offensive guard Kenyon Green.
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