Mike Harris Re-Signs with Vikings: Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

The Minnesota Vikings maintained some continuity up front Wednesday during the first day of the NFL’s new calendar year and brought back offensive lineman Mike Harris.

According to the Vikings' official website, Harris re-signed in Minnesota following a 2015 season that saw him start all 16 games at right guard.

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press noted the contract “is worth $1.9 million but incentives could make it worth as much as $3 million.”

Harris was a part of Minnesota’s offensive line that created holes for running back Adrian Peterson in 2015. Peterson led the league with 1,485 rushing yards behind that offensive front.

The Vikings site noted Harris also played 12 games for Minnesota in 2014 after the team claimed him off waivers from the San Diego Chargers. Harris demonstrated his versatility by starting at right tackle in 2014 and right guard last year.

Matt Claassen of Pro Football Focus ranked Harris as one of the top 75 free agents this offseason and pointed to that versatility as one reason why. Claassen said “Harris proved last year that he can be a full-time starter in the right system and is a solid backup at the worst.”

Football Outsiders ranked the Vikings offensive line as the 10th-best group in the league in run blocking last season, which is one reason Peterson was so effective. However, it ranked Harris and the rest of the Minnesota line as an abysmal 29th in pass protection.

Teddy Bridgewater is still a young and developing quarterback at 23 years old and needs more protection than that if the Vikings are going to challenge for a Super Bowl in 2016 after reaching the playoffs a season ago and losing in heartbreaking fashion to the Seattle Seahawks, 10-9.

Keeping an important piece like Harris is a step in the right direction, as was the decision to sign veteran guard and two-time Pro Bowler Alex Boone earlier Wednesday, as reported by the Star Tribune's Matt Vensel. Harris provides depth at multiple positions because of his ability to move along the line and will help the Vikings offense push toward a second consecutive postseason appearance.