AVG is the latest defender to leave the Dolphins.
Van Ginkel became the second 2019 draft pick to sign with another team this offseason.
The Miami Dolphins’ defense is still being depleted.
Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel became the latest important part of that group to go, signing a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings, according to several reports.
The deal is allegedly for $20 million, with $14 million guaranteed, a significant increase over the $2.6 million Van Ginkel got from the Dolphins last season when he re-signed a one-year contract as an unrestricted free agent.
Everyone thought Van Ginkel would be much more expensive this time around, with former Dolphins executive vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum claiming he would have offered $12 million per year for three years if he were operating a company.
Tannenbaum’s estimate of the annual average turned out to be rather accurate.
Van Ginkel will reunite with Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who served as his head coach for his first three NFL seasons.
The Dolphins selected Van Ginkel in the fifth round out of Wisconsin in 2019, and he proved to be a steal over his five seasons in Miami, starting 42 of 73 games and totaling 17 sacks and two defensive touchdowns — a fumble return against the Rams in 2020 and a pick-six at Washington last season.
Van Ginkel proven to be an invaluable element of the defense after being re-signed last season, starting 11 games due to injuries to both starting edge defenders, Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. Van Ginkel set career highs with six sacks and eight passes defensed.
Drew Rosenhaus, Van Ginkel’s agent, said there was mutual interest in a return to Miami, but his client would attract a lot of attention on the open market. Philadelphia was likely to be interested because to the presence of Vic Fangio, the 2023 defensive coordinator.
However, another previously established connection was renewed.
DOLPHINS’ MANY DEFENSIVE DEPARTURES
Van Ginkel became the third player from the 2023 defense to sign with another team on Monday, after defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and safety Brandon Jones.
In addition, the Dolphins plan to dismiss linebacker Jerome Baker, edge defender Emmanuel Ogbah, and Xavien Howard on Wednesday.
Van Ginkel’s departure leaves three outside linebackers under contract for 2024, but all three—Chubb, Phillips, and Cameron Goode—are rehabilitating from significant injuries suffered late last season.
If defensive tackle Raekwon Davis leaves as an unrestricted free agency before 2021, the Dolphins may not have drafted any defensive players.
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