Contract details for Ryan Kelly, Will Fries confirm what Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has always valued when making big free agent signings

Contracts for Ryan Kelly, Will Fries show Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's brilliance

We continue to see how well Adofo-Mensah has set the Vikings up for success both now and in the future. The latest two contracts that have come out are for center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries.

Not only are the cap hits low for both players, but the Vikings have the ability to stay flexible if things don't work out.

Will Fries

Fries' contract is relatively straight forward.

• $20 million signing bonus
• $30k per game roster bonus, $510k/year
• $100k workout bonus
• Full guarantees in the first two years

The one interesting thing with Fries' contract is the year three guarantees. According to The Star Tribune's Ben Goessling, Fries has $10 million guaranteed for injury only in 2027, his salary doesn't fully guarantee until the third day of the 2027 league year. Those guarantees usually vest the year prior, but likely moved back due to the broken tibia he is healing from.

What this contract does is give the Vikings an out after the 2026 season for $12 million dead with $9.5 million in savings.

Ryan Kelly 

This is an interesting one for the Vikings and Kelly. It's a two-year, $18 million contract, but it's perfect for the Vikings, especially if Kelly chooses to retire after the 2025 season.

The only pieces in Kelly's contract that are fully guaranteed are the base salary and roster bonus. It's not a signing bonus, meaning it hits the salary cap in the year it's given.

There is one interesting caveat. Goessling reported that it's a full signing bonus. A to Z Sports is currently working to confirm the details.

The common thread between the two contracts is relatively simple: flexibility. 

Adofo-Mensah loves to keep flexibility when it comes to contracts so he can make a variety of maneuvers with the roster. It's been the calling card for him as he's built the stability of the roster.

If these signings work out, it's great for the Vikings. If they don't, they have the ability to maneuver out of them. Pretty smart maneuvering by Adofo-Mensah.