at ESPN explained, “Hargrave suffered a torn triceps three games into his second season with the 49ers, undergoing surgery and not returning to the field before being released in March.”
“The two-time Pro Bowler subsequently signed a two-year, $30 million contract with Minnesota, the fourth team for the 32-year-old since he entered the league in 2016.”
And just like that, Hargrave has something to strive for with the Vikings. He went from a Top 10er to a fringe honorable mention among his peers.
ESPN described its ranking process: “A reminder of the rankings process: League executives, coaches and scouts gave us their best 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen.”
“More than 70 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases, all positions. Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed helped break ties.”
A New Chapter in Minnesota
Hargrave, a two-time Pro Bowler, tore his triceps just three games into the San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 regular season. He hit the shelf, and San Francisco cut ties five months later. A salary cap casualty.
 during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Javon-Hargrave-2.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=639,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Javon-Hargrave-2.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Javon-Hargrave-2.jpg” alt=”Javon Hargrave addresses media before Super Bowl LVIII in 2024.”><figcaption>San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) speaks to the media during a Super Bowl LVIII press event on Feb. 6, 2024, at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort in Nevada. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Minnesota, evidently realizing that defensive tackle could be a priority, signed Hargrave to a contract worth $30 million over the next two years. In the Twin Cities, he’ll hope to rekindle his 2023 form, when he reached the Pro Bowl with the 49ers.</p>
<h3>The Vikings’ DT Offseason Emphasis</h3>
<p>Minnesota actually signed <em>two</em> premier defensive tackles this offseason: Hargrave <a href=)
and Jonathan Allen from the Washington Commanders.
For years — arguably since Kevin Williams left in 2013 — various iterations of Vikings front offices and coaching staffs seemed not to care about keynote defensive tackles, always settling for solutions named Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts, and Jonathan Bullard, to name a few examples.
But this offseason, everything changed. Minnesota got with the program by signing Hargrave and Allen — on the same day.
An Already Stacked Defense Gets Better
Here’s the sweet part: Minnesota’s defense ranked second in the NFL last year without Hargrave and Allen. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has transformed his unit into a formidable unit, only trailing the Denver Broncos per defensive DVOA.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily … More about Dustin Baker
