Gerhart signs 4-year, $3.767M deal, completing Vikings' draft-pick signings

MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings got their draft class signed in time -- barely.

An NFL source confirmed running back Toby Gerhart agreed to terms on a four-year deal Friday afternoon, just hours before the first practice of training camp at 4 p.m.

Per a source, Gerhart's deal is worth $3.767 million. The guaranteed portion is $2.259 million, including his $320,000 base salary this year.

It was particularly important for Gerhart's deal to get done on time because he missed most of the offseason program -- including all of organized team activity practices and part of minicamp -- while completing school and graduating from Stanford.

"He needs to get his tail signed," Vikings coach Brad Childress told Sirius NFL Radio on Thursday. "He needs to get down here and not miss a snap."

The Vikings signed their top draft pick, cornerback Chris Cook (No. 34 overall), on Thursday, leaving only Gerhart (No. 51) unsigned. After making minimal progress on Thursday, the deal apparently came together quickly early Friday afternoon.

Tom Pelissero is Senior Editor and columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and co-hosts from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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