$25 Million Linebacker Signs Contract With Minnesota Vikings

Blake Cashman, Minnesota Vikings, Agree to Contract

Linebacker Blake Cashman finished his contract with what was easily the best season of his career. Starting in 13 games while making 14 appearances, the linebacker ended the season with 106 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, two sacks, five quarterback hits, one interception, and five passes defended. With his help, the Texans made it all the way to the AFC Divisional Round before losing to the Baltimore Ravens.

Blake Cashman originally entered the league as a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Selected by the New York Jets, the Minnesota product immediately outplayed his draft stock and quickly earned a starting job. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to just seven games, but he still managed to record 40 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, three quarterback hits, 0.5 sacks, and one pass defended while on the field.

Unfortunately, Cashman just couldn’t shake the injury bug. In 2020, the linebacker had two separate stints on the injured reserve, as groin and hamstring injuries limited him to just four games. It was more of the same in 2021, as he appeared in just three games during that campaign.

The Jets decided to cut their losses and traded Cashman to the Houston Texans in exchange for a sixth-round pick. This gamble paid off for Houston, as the linebacker finally stayed healthy. Playing in 16 games while making one start, the former fifth-round pick recorded three sacks, 26 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, five quarterback hits, and two passes defended during his debut season with the Texans.

Since signing his rookie contract, Blake Cashman has recorded 181 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, 13 quarterback hits, 5.5 sacks, one interception, and eight passes defended.

Main Photo: Mark Lebryk – USA Today Sports