EAGAN, Minn. — An honest smile and arms stretched wide with his fingertips pointed toward the sky.

Whether engaged in a conversation or instinctively celebrating another sack, that's practically as much emotion as you can expect from one of football's most dominant, authentic and under-discussed players.

That's what you get with Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, and what Minnesota Vikings fans can look forward to in 2025 and beyond after he recently inked a new deal.

"First off, I just want to start by thanking the Wilf Family for, obviously, adding another year to my contract," Van Ginkel said Wednesday, speaking to reporters for the first time since his extension April 29. "I love this place. I love this organization. It's a family atmosphere, and it's a big part of who I am.

"I'm just thankful for my wife and kids, and being able to be in this city, this organization and state, is a blessing," the 29-year-old added after concluding Minnesota's second Organized Team Activity practice of 2025.

Inherent bias aside, it's no secret Minnesota and "Gink'" are a football match of destiny.

Van Ginkel grew up about four hours away in Rock Valley, Iowa, and had around 55 friends and family members cram onto a motorcoach, making it a party bus, for every Vikings home game last season.

In 2024, Van Ginkel set career highs in tackles (79), tackles for loss (18) and sacks (11.5). He also demonstrated a rare versatility – even by NFL standards – routinely dropping into coverage and snagging a pair of interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns. Overall, his sixth season in the league and first in Minnesota was flat-out historic; he became the second player since 1960 to record multiple pick sixes and 10 or more sacks in a single season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor's showing in 2006.

A big catalyst of his performance was Van Ginkel's reunion with Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores, who was Miami's head coach for Van Ginkel's first three pro seasons, including when the Dolphins drafted the slender, blond-haired pass-rusher by way of Wisconsin with the 151^st pick in the 2019 Draft.

That connection also is a primary reason why Van Ginkel is thrilled to be sticking around longer.

"Spending a majority of my career with Flores, I kind of know all the ins and outs, and I kind of know the expectations; what he's trying to get done, and how we're trying to attack different offenses," Gink' said.

Van Ginkel pointed out that Flores' defense hinges on versatility, which he prides himself on.

"You have to be ready to adjust on the fly," he emphasized, noting one of the draws of playing for Minnesota. "At any moment the game plan can change, or the scheme can change, and something that makes me love this defense is I'm versatile; I can play many positions, and I think me and Flo' think alike.

"He's always trying to evolve, he's always trying to be one step ahead, and that's one thing I love about him," Van Ginkel continued. "He's open to hearing what we recommend, or what we think will work."

During Minnesota's 14-win campaign in 2024, a lot worked, of course.

And yet there's ways – namely the addition of promising, but to some degree, overlooked free agents like Van Ginkel was a bit more than 12 months ago – for the Vikings defense to reach greater heights in '25.

"J.A. (Jonathan Allen), 'Graves (Javon Hargrave), all these guys that came in, you know, they're bringing the right people in," Van Ginkel said about the roster adds, singling out a couple interior d-linemen that could feasibly elevate his game on the edge. "They built a culture here and they're sticking to it, and props to K.O. (Head Coach Kevin O'Connell) – kind of his standard, his expectations, and just filling voids."

With a bump in juice on the inside, it's fair to presume Van Ginkel and fellow edges Jonathan Greenard, Dallas Turner and others, may meet more 1-on-1 opportunities – and thus "get home" to opposing quarterbacks more frequently.

There's another piece, as well, to the aspirational championship puzzle that has Van Ginkel raring to go.

Regarding the not-so-surprising choice by captain Harrison Smith to return for Year 14, Van Ginkel quipped he was on the fence over any shock: "I am, but I ain't," he said, smiling and shaking his head.

"He's a guy that loves football, he loves being around the guys, and just being able to develop a relationship with him is special," Van Ginkel added. "And, you know, he's still got more left in the tank."

Van Ginkel, too. And then some.

"Obviously, we love it here," Van Ginkel reiterated. "We wanted to be here, and anytime you can just get an extension, get more security, it's something that I wanted and I'm glad that we could get it done."

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