Minnesota Vikings sign T Caleb Etienne

The Minnesota Vikings' signing of tackle Caleb Etienne earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI), reflecting a low-cost depth move that carries minimal financial risk but limited upside for a team sitting at 9-8 and eyeing playoff positioning. At $885K on a one-year deal, this is replacement-level money — the kind of veteran minimum or near-minimum contract used to fill roster gaps without meaningful cap impact, especially as the regular season approaches in 91 days. Etienne's value proposition hinges entirely on whether the Vikings view him as a plug-and-play swing tackle for injury contingency or a camp invite with marginal roster projection; either way, the salary structure offers zero downside commitment and no guaranteed money tying the team's hands in negotiation flexibility. The CVI grade reflects the contract's modest structure rather than any expectation of All-Pro-caliber performance — this is organizational pragmatism, not a statement about sustainable starter-level play. For a roster in the thick of the playoff race, this is the kind of transaction that barely moves the needle on team-building strategy but serves its narrow purpose: add depth at rock-bottom cost and move on. The Vikings are essentially paying for roster depth insurance, which is exactly what an $885K tackle signing should deliver — no more, no less.