Will Fries signs massive new deal with Minnesota; which other Penn State alums are NFL free agents?
Former Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries is the second Nittany Lion to earn a massive new NFL contract despite coming off of a season-ending in as many days. Unlike receiver Chris Godwin, however, the New Jersey native is changing teams.
Multiple media outlets reported Tuesday on the second day of the league’s so-called legal tampering period that Fries, who is entering his fifth pro season in 2025, will sign with the Minnesota Vikings. It’s a five-year contract worth $88 million, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. What may surprise Penn State fans is that the former seventh-round pick was described by Fowler as “one of the top interior lineman on the market.” Yet, it’s true: NFL.com ranked Fries as the No. 17 overall free agent regardless of position. And, PFF put him at No. 28 overall.
“Fries made tremendous strides over the duration of his rookie contract and could be the next guard to cash in during the free agency period after a wave of big deals landed in 2024,” PFF writes. “Unfortunately, Fries fractured his tibia in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and underwent immediate surgery, but he had earned an 86.8 PFF overall grade up to that point on 268 snaps.”
After playing in just three games as a rookie in 2021, the 2020 All-Big Ten second-team pick out of Penn State started nine games in 2022 and all 17 in 2023 for the Colts. He started the first five of 2024, too, before suffering his season-ending injury.
More Penn State NFL news
Former Penn State receiver Chris Godwin is returning to the Tampa Bay Buccanneers on a three-year, $66 million deal. ESPN first reported the news. Its Adam Schefter says that New England was also pursuing Godwin. He suffered a season-ending injury in 2024. Pro Football Talk reports that $44 million of the new contract is guaranteed.
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“Both the Bucs and Godwin’s representatives expressed to ESPN a desire to get a new deal done. They had time on their side, agreeing to move the automatic void date of his 2025 contract of Feb. 17 to March 12,” Jenna Laine writes for ESPN.
Earlier this month, former Nittany Lion Mike Gesicki agreed to a new three-year, $25.5-million deal. He is returning to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Other ex-Penn State players who are free agents this year include tight end Juwan Johnson, running back Miles Sanders, defensive tackle Kevin Givens, receiver Allen Robinson, and safety Nick Scott, among others.
Last but not least, Saquon Barkley has signed an extension with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. It will make him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
