John Sullivan Signs Five-Year Contract Extension With Minnesota Vikings

by Christopher Gates on Dec 17, 2011 2:23 PM CST in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season

Because John Sullivan is a center, we pretty much only have pictures of him from the rear. So, here you go. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

One of the few bright spots on the Minnesota Vikings' roster this season is going to get paid.

Center John Sullivan, who has been the Vikings' best and most consistent offensive lineman, has inked a 5-year, $25 million contract extension with the team, according to Tom Pelissero of 1500 ESPN in the Twin Cities.

Sullivan was the Vikings sixth-round pick (178th overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Notre Dame. If you've read Pelissero's game recaps this season, Sullivan consistently grades out the highest among the offensive linemen, and has taken great strides this season after having his struggles in 2009 and 2010.

It appears that Sullivan is, after a bit of a hiccup, ready to continue the Vikings' recent tradition of outstanding center play that they've had the past couple of decades, starting with Jeff Christy and continuing on with Matt Birk and now Sullivan.

Sullivan would have been a free agent following this season, but that's something the Vikings don't have to worry about any more now. According to Pelissero, the extension will give Sullivan $10 million in guaranteed money.

Congratulations to John Sullivan on his new contract, and here's hoping for continued improvement from him going forward.

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Comments

Probably not the best pic to show !! " Sorry bout that Christian" Now lets work on the rest of the line !!

by Bobcat m on Dec 17, 2011 2:44 PM CST reply actions

Actually, that's Favre

Did I mention that we really, really don’t have a whole lot of pictures of John Sullivan? (-:

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by Christopher Gates on Dec 17, 2011 2:46 PM CST up reply actions

D’oh! I’ll go run some laps Coach !

by Bobcat m on Dec 18, 2011 6:55 AM CST up reply actions

Nice job Vikings

I’ve actually been impressed with Spielman & Co’s talent evaluation/management in his tenure. The players we lost Rice, TJack, Edwards have all struggled this season, while the players we extend all continue to produce. Greenway still needs to make more plays but I still think he was a better choice than Rice.

by JWILLIS11 on Dec 17, 2011 2:52 PM CST reply actions

Apples and oranges...

… but TJack has surprisingly similar numbers to Ponder.

TJ: 11TD/12INT 6.9YDS/ATT 207 YDS/GM Passer Rating 77.9
CP: 11TD/11INT 6.9 YDS/ATT 205 YDS/GM Passer Rating 73.4

by Vrooman on Dec 17, 2011 3:29 PM CST up reply actions

Jackson also has 11 starts

Ponder has 7.

Jackson’s also been in the league since 2006.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 17, 2011 3:39 PM CST up reply actions

Yup, apples and oranges.

I thought TJack was having a better season than he was, so I checked the stats and noticed how similar his were to Ponder’s. I’m not reading much into it, just thought it was interesting.

by Vrooman on Dec 17, 2011 3:49 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah that's creepily similar...

That TJ can’t outperform a rookie on THIS team is disappointing, but not surprising.

by CaP'M on Dec 17, 2011 7:40 PM CST up reply actions

Sounds good to me.

A good deal all around. Heres to him getting better and staying healthy!

I'm still a Minnesotan at heart...

by urluckyday on Dec 17, 2011 3:06 PM CST reply actions

I think he's just a hair overpaid

I would’ve given him 5 year 18 mil

"Winning isn't everything but losing is nothing" - Ace Bricka coach of the Galaxy Aces

by FFXVIKE on Dec 17, 2011 5:43 PM CST reply actions

Seems like they're counting on him to anchor the line

In the midst of all the other position shuffling thats going to be happening this off-season. Hoping he continues to improve so that faith isn’t misplaced.

by Amrius on Dec 17, 2011 7:05 PM CST reply actions

Sullivan has becoming a solid center

He’s still progressing, but it looks like we have a good peice to build around.

If we can't laugh at ourselves, Packer fans will call us crybabies and we will be forced to kick their tooth in. I really don't want to go to jail (again).

by Alittlemore_cowbell on Dec 17, 2011 7:08 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Good for Sullivan

But these cavemen staring at me are creeping me out!

by JMigz on Dec 17, 2011 7:11 PM CST reply actions

How nice of Sullivan

to lend a hand to Chris Kluwe.

by dsludo on Dec 17, 2011 7:24 PM CST reply actions 3 recs

Kluwe's got some cannons for arms.

by Amrius on Dec 17, 2011 8:34 PM CST up reply actions

Well he is the only O-lineman to take a step forward this year

I would still like for the starting center spot to be an open competition between him and Fusco. Also by locking up one of the O-line spots that leaves less for us to worry about this offseason.

by nmvikesfan on Dec 17, 2011 10:27 PM CST reply actions

Read on Zulgad's twitter account that Vikings hope Fusco can start at guard next year.

Bye, bye Hererra.

by CanadianViking on Dec 17, 2011 11:52 PM CST up reply actions

Oops, got that from Tom Pelissero's twitter account and not Zulgad's.

by CanadianViking on Dec 17, 2011 11:54 PM CST up reply actions

I dunno

It just seems a bit weird to be inking deals during this kinda season. The kind of message you want to give your players is that everyone’s butt is on the line when your team goes 2 and whatever, and that a FULL evaluation of individuals as well as coaches will take place immediately after the season ends… am I the only one who thinks they shoulda waited for just a few weeks?

by liveforadrenaline on Dec 17, 2011 10:52 PM CST reply actions