Ryan

Van Demark

The Vikings gave Van Demark a fully-guaranteed $4.2 million contract. He’ll likely be Minnesota’s swing option, and it says something about the health of Christian Darrisaw — who could not be reliably counted on towards the end of last season — that the Vikings felt inclined to invest this kind of money into a potential solution for him.

Van Denmark is a restricted free agent who was tendered by the Bills last week. This means the Bills will have a chance to match the offer sheet the Vikings have given him. The 27-year-old has been a reserve tackle for Buffalo over the last three seasons, starting six games over that time. With the Vikings extending Van Denmark an offer sheet, the Bills will have five days to either retain him, or let him leave for Minnesota.

Barring another team extending an offer sheet for Van Denmark, he will return to Buffalo on a one-year deal. Denmark started four games in 2025, three at right tackle and one at left tackle. He proved to be a serviceable backup for Buffalo and will now stick around as a swing tackle for another season.

Van Demark (6'7/304) has started every game for the Huskies this season, but is now one of a handful of Huskies set to miss Saturday’s game against UMass. In addition to Van Demark, interim head coach Lou Spanos and tight end coach Corey Edsall are also out.