The Vikings’ top-tier defense just got better. Hargrave suffered a season-ending torn triceps in Week 3, 2024, but managed to generate eight quarterback pressures and one sack before the injury. At 32 years old, Hargrave is no longer the dominant DT he once was but DC Brian Flores should be able to maximize Hargrave’s current abilities.

The Vikings are pouring resources into the defensive line in free agency, adding Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, who inked a three-year deal with the Vikings on Tuesday morning. Hargrave, who logged 21.5 sacks from 2021-2023, missed most of the 2024 season with a serious triceps injury. He’ll be an immediate upgrade for a Minnesota defensive line graded by PFF as last season’s eighth worst pass rushing unit.

The move won’t be official until the new league year but is a done deal either way. Lynch noted that the team has interest in bringing Hargrave back for the 2025 season after he is released. San Francisco signed the veteran pass-rusher to a four-year, $80 million contract two years ago. He tallied a modest seven sacks in 2023 and missed all but three games because of a torn tricep this year. The 49ers will only save $2.4 million in cap space while incurring a dead cap hit of $25 million, spread over two years.

This was the expected outcome after it was revealed the veteran defensive tackle suffered a partially torn triceps in the team’s Week 3 loss to the Rams. Hargrave is expected to undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the 2024 season.