Blake Cashman

Career StatsA-

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		71	437	12.0	1
2025		13	144	2.0	0
2024		14	112	4.5	0
2023		14

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Vikings struck gold with Blake Cashman's three-year, $22.5M extension, landing what amounts to a legitimate steal in today's inflated linebacker market — this deal earns a strong B+ CVI. At $7.5M per year, Minnesota is paying above-average starter money for a player who has consistently delivered exactly that level of production, creating exceptional value alignment in a position where teams routinely overpay for name recognition over performance. The 28-year-old linebacker is entering his prime years, meaning the Vikings are buying his best seasons rather than paying for past glory or hoping for unlikely development. With only $9.5M guaranteed in a three-year structure, Minnesota built in smart protection against injury or decline while giving themselves flexibility to extend or move on as Cashman's career progresses. This is precisely the type of disciplined roster building that separates well-managed franchises from those that mortgage their future for marginal upgrades — the Vikings identified a productive starter, paid him appropriately, and avoided the premium tax that comes with chasing household names.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Blake's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Blake Cashman, a seven-year veteran linebacker entering his ninth season, continues to anchor Minnesota's middle defense with the consistency of a trusted veteran role player. The 30-year-old has logged 71 career games and maintains steady production as a run-defense specialist who rarely leaves the field on early downs. He represents the archetypal modern coverage linebacker—reliable but not elite, valuable in the right system, and effective against the run despite lacking standout pass-rush metrics. Cashman's elite tackle production stands out sharply; he's averaging 11.1 tackles per game, nearly double the NFL average of 2.19 and well above the elite threshold of 7.32. His above-average tackle-for-loss rate of 0.58 per game demonstrates consistent disruption in the backfield, outpacing the league average of 0.27. However, his weaknesses emerge in the pass game: he's posting 0.15 pass deflections per game, right at the NFL average, and generating only 0.15 sacks per game with minimal impact as a pass rusher, which limits his ceiling against elite offenses. The trajectory from a B+ in 2024 to a B- in 2025 suggests some decline in overall effectiveness, though his tackle volume remains elite. At 30, Cashman's window as a three-down linebacker is tightening; his value depends almost entirely on Minnesota's defensive scheme and whether the team invests in younger pass-rush talent around him. Watch whether he can stabilize back toward B+ production or if the slight dip signals the beginning of a typical aging curve for a defensive line-of-scrimmage specialist.

How Blake Compares at the Position

Blake Cashman ranks 20th of 339 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Blake between Jordyn Brooks (A-) just ahead and Andrew Van Ginkel (A-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Blake Cashman enters 2026 as a depth linebacker facing moderate perception headwinds, with his reputation anchored in solid-starter territory but complicated by recurring injury narratives. The conflicting reports—from lingering injury concerns to full-go clearance within days—create uncertainty about his availability and role, a pattern that typically dampens fan and media confidence in role players. His $7.5M contract and seven-year tenure suggest organizational commitment, yet the emergence of cut-candidate speculation indicates the Vikings may be evaluating alternatives at the position. Off-field advocacy for stadium improvements shows leadership presence, but it does not offset on-field durability questions in a crowded linebacker room. Overall, Cashman's perception sits below the solid-starter baseline due to injury volatility and roster competition, positioning him as a player on the margins of the Vikings' defensive plans.