National Football League

Report: Loadholt, Vikes agree to deal

Published Mar. 14, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

One of the top right tackles set to hit free agency won’t be getting to the market.

1500 ESPN Twin Cities reported that Phil Loadholt has agreed to a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Financial terms weren’t immediately available.

One of the NFL’s biggest linemen at 6-foot-8 and 343 pounds, Loadholt has started all but one game during his four-year NFL career. Loadholt helped pave the way for Adrian Peterson’s 2,109-yard rushing season in 2012 that led to the running back winning the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award.

Loadholt, Cincinnati’s Andre Smith and New England’s Sebastian Vollmer were projected as the top unrestricted free agents at right tackle. Ex-Kansas City starter Eric Winston is available following last week’s release. ESPN reported that Winston visited last weekend with San Diego.

Multiple media reports indicated that the Bears had interest in Loadholt if he were to become a free agent. As first reported by FOXSports.com, the Bears are now expected to focus on adding a left tackle with Miami’s Jake Long and New Orleans’ Jermon Bushrod atop the wish list.