The Vikings have reportedly started extension talks with defensive end Stephen Weatherly, who is in his last year of his rookie deal. Weatherly’s agent, Blake Baratz, had this to say about the extension talks:
We’ve had some discussions. He definitely would like to be here. I know the Vikings want him here. They don’t have the most cap room in the league, so who knows if it will happen before this season, during this season, after this season? I don’t think there’s a timetable on it, but I think it makes sense for both parties. A lot of things have got to play out first, but I think it’s a desire on both parties.’’
Weatherly was a 7th round pick (#227) out of Vanderbilt back in 2016. He spent a couple years developing, including spending most of his rookie year on the practice squad, before having more of an impact last season, when he saw some starting duty while Everson Griffen was out.
Weatherly is listed as 6’5”, 267 lbs., with 34.5” arms and ran a 4.6” 40. Last season Weatherly had 3 sacks, but more impressive were his 18 run stops in 198 run snaps, which was best among Vikings defensive linemen and 9th best in the league among edge rushers with at least that many run snaps, according to PFF.
Mike Zimmer has said recently that he expects Weatherly to have an expanded role this season, most likely as the primary backup DE. It wouldn’t be terribly surprising either if the Vikings part ways with Everson Griffen at some point, that Weatherly steps into a starting role at LDE and Danielle Hunter moves to the RDE spot.
Weatherly is also something of a renaissance man. In addition to football, he can play nine instruments, speak four languages, likes to play chess, enjoys math, and is one of those guys that can solve a Rubik's Cube in like 30 seconds.
Given the Vikings salary cap situation, it’s gonna take someone good at math and solving puzzles to come up with the salary cap space to extend Weatherly, but it appears both sides are working to make it happen.