Vikings, first-round pick Lewis Cine agree to four-year contract

Cine, a safety taken 32nd overall, got a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth nearly $11.5 million, according to his agency Roc Nation Sports.

May 12, 2022 at 11:44AM
The Vikings selected Georgia safety Lewis Cine with the 32nd overall pick in the NFL draft last month. (Renée Jones Schneider, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Last year, the NFL Draft's top 28 picks signed fully guaranteed, four-year rookie contracts.

On Wednesday, Vikings rookie safety Lewis Cine became the first player selected with the final pick in the first round — 32nd overall — to get a fully guaranteed deal. He agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth nearly $11.5 million, according to Roc Nation Sports agent Charles Fisher. Nearly half of that, or about $5.5 million, comes in a signing bonus.

Cine, the former Georgia safety, is the first Vikings draft pick to agree to terms on his contract ahead of the first practice at this weekend's rookie minicamp. He's the ninth 2022 first-round pick to get his contract wrapped up.

Draft classes get signed quickly since the 2011 collective bargaining agreement slotted the total value of rookie deals based on draft position, making all NFL rookie contracts largely boilerplate four-year deals. First-round picks, like Cine, get fifth-year team options.

There are still negotiations based on the total guaranteed money, which has increased to full guarantees for nearly all first-round selection; offset contract language (if a player is released and signs with a new team, previous guarantees can be offset by what that player earns from his new team); signing bonus payment terms; and how or whether guarantees can be voided due to off-field or on-field conduct.

about the writer

Andrew Krammer

Reporter

Andrew Krammer covers the Vikings for the Star Tribune, entering his sixth NFL season. From the Metrodome to U.S. Bank Stadium, he's reported on everything from Case Keenum's Minneapolis Miracle, the offensive line's kangaroo court to Adrian Peterson's suspension.

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