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During this summer’s Training Camp, Joe Berger won his battle against John Sullivan to be the Minnesota Vikings’ starting center. Now, he’s going to be staying in Minnesota for just a little bit longer.
On Friday, it was announced that Berger had signed a one-year contract extension with the Vikings. Terms of the deal were not immediately made available, but the team now has Berger under contract through the 2017 season.
Berger was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 6th round (#207) overall of the 2005 Draft out of Michigan Tech. He was cut by the Panthers, but then went on to spend two seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He then moved to the Dallas Cowboys until 2008, and then returned to Miami for two more years. He signed with the Vikings the day after the 2011 regular season opener, and has been here ever since.
Prior to last season, Berger was primarily a backup at guard. However, after Sullivan’s season-ending back injury, the Vikings moved him to the center spot, where he was one of the highest-graded centers in the NFL according to the folks at Pro Football Focus. He even received recognition from PFF as the best run-blocking lineman in the NFL.
Congratulations to Joe Berger on his new extension with the Minnesota Vikings!