Ben Yurosek

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		12	2	14	—
2025		12	2	14	0

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Vikings just secured exceptional value by locking up Ben Yurosek at $1M annually — this is an absolute steal for a rotational tight end with upside, earning a stellar A CVI. Minnesota is paying backup money for a player who's shown he can contribute meaningfully in multiple packages, making this one of the shrewdest cap management moves of the offseason. At just $1M per year, the Vikings are essentially betting on developmental potential while paying well below market rate for proven rotational production. The minimal $300K guarantee means virtually zero downside risk if Yurosek doesn't progress, but the three-year term gives Minnesota cost certainty through his prime developmental window. This contract exemplifies smart roster building — the Vikings get a reliable contributor at rock-bottom pricing while maintaining flexibility to either extend him if he breaks out or move on without any meaningful cap implications.

Performance Analysis

Ben Yurosek is a rookie tight end carving out a developmental role for the Minnesota Vikings in his first NFL season. Early returns have earned him a D grade, well below what even modest rookie benchmarks demand at the position. Most first-year tight ends require two to three seasons to contribute meaningfully, but Yurosek's current production raises early concerns. His receiving yards per game sit at just 1.17, compared to an NFL average of 35.0 and an elite threshold of 55.0 — a gap that is difficult to overlook. His yards per reception of 7.0 also trails the league average of 10.1 significantly, suggesting limited separation or usage in intermediate and vertical routes. Right now, there is no standout statistical marker to build optimism around, and his 2025 season trend grades out at an F through this early stretch. That said, Yurosek is exactly the type of raw developmental prospect whose value is measured in practice reps and scheme fit more than box scores at this stage. If he can improve route precision and earn trust in situational packages, a trajectory correction is absolutely possible before he reaches his age-25 season. Watch his targets-per-game and contested-catch rate next season as the clearest indicators of whether he's developing into a legitimate rotational weapon.

Current Sentiment

Ben Yurosek enters the 2026 season as one of the more intriguing developmental tight ends on the Vikings roster, having drawn notable attention from head coach Kevin O'Connell during his rookie campaign. His inspiring advocacy for the Type 1 diabetes community through custom-painted cleats has generated genuine goodwill and elevated his public profile beyond what his on-field statistics alone would suggest. Reports indicating he is in pole position for an open roster spot signal that the Vikings coaching staff views him as a legitimate contributor rather than a pure depth piece. However, his Week 14 inactive designation serves as a reminder that he has yet to fully secure a consistent role, and his career receiving totals remain extremely modest heading into year two. The overall media and fan perception is cautiously optimistic — Yurosek is viewed as a high-character, under-the-radar prospect with real upside, but he must translate coaching staff confidence into meaningful production to solidify his standing on the depth chart.