EAGAN, Minn. — Christian Darrisaw will be anchoring the left side of the Vikings offensive line for the foreseeable future.

The Vikings signed Darrisaw to an extension Wednesday that will place the 25-year-old under contract with Minnesota through the 2029 season.

Darrisaw spoke with Twin Cities media members shortly after making things official and described it as a "surreal feeling" to have his second NFL contract buttoned up.

"I want to first give a special shout-out to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without him, none of this would be possible," he said. "I also want to thank the Wilf [family ownership group], [Vikings Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski], [General Manager] Kwesi [Adofo-Mensah], the coaches in this organization, my teammates, family. Without them, none of this would be possible.

"Working through it all offseason, knowing I had the chance to possibly get this deal done, and it finally came through. We made it happen," added Darrisaw, who noted he plans to now help his parents retire. "This is where I wanted to be, and I'm locked up here for the rest of my career, hopefully."

Darrisaw received the news via text while in a position group meeting Tuesday afternoon, and he was able to share with his linemates.

"They were pumped for me, man," he said with a smile. "It was love. It was all love."

The compliments of Darrisaw haven't stopped at the offensive line, though. Multiple teammates took to Instagram after news of the extension to congratulate him.

The camaraderie throughout Minnesota's locker room – which he said sets it apart – is a large part of why Darrisaw felt strongly about staying in Purple.

"Since day one, walking through those doors, it's just a different type of group," he said. "The bonds and the friendships that we've got in there, it all leads out to the field. All those dudes are my brothers, man."

Darrisaw is relatively soft-spoken, maintaining an even-keeled nature reflected even in the way his 6-foot-5 frame calmly strolls the hallways of Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.

But in the wake of signing his extension, he recognizes a renewed responsibility.

"I feel like the next level for me is my leadership role for this team. Just being a better leader, being more vocal for my guys – on the offensive and defensive side of the ball," Darrisaw said. "I've gotta push myself at it a little bit more. Usually, I just let my game do the talking and stay out of the way. So just being more vocal to the guys, man. I know they're all looking up to me, and they're looking for that input."

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell observed some of that growth even before dotted lines were signed.

"What I've seen from him, whether it's his interactions with Dallas Turner in the spring, talking through pass rush through him – or you'll see him take some of the young tackles … and talk through technique and fundamentals," O'Connell explained. "You're seeing a little bit more of that mentorship role. He's a little more vocal in the offensive line room, and he's a little more vocal [for the whole team]."

And though Darrisaw naturally subdued away from the field, it's a whole different story when he gets on it.

He commands the respect of opponents the moment he steps to the line of scrimmage.

Take it from former Vikings pass rusher Danielle Hunter, who had three seasons of practice reps against Darrisaw before joining the Texans in free agency this spring.

"Christian Darrisaw is just so naturally gifted," Hunter told Vikings.com. "Since day one, I knew once he figured out his playing style that he was going to be a special player in this league. I'm really happy for him [getting this extension]."

Last season, Darrisaw started 15 games and logged a career-high 982 snaps, helping the Vikings rank fourth in passing attempts and touchdowns and fifth in passing yards. He received a pass-blocking grade of 85.3 from analytics site Pro Football Focus, with an overall grade of 82.4. In 10 of the games he started, Darrisaw did not allow a single sack.

PFF ranked Darrisaw as the fourth-best tackle in the league entering the 2024 season.

O'Connell said he's "very, very excited" about securing Darrisaw long term.

"One of the best young tackles in our league. All he has done is continually get better and better. The expectation is he is going to continue to do that," O'Connell said. "Pairing him with B.O. (Brian O'Neill) on the other side, we feel really good about that tackle combination. Those [two] have been the heart and soul to go along with some of those guys on the interior for a long time now.

"We're continuing to build and build, but having those two positions solidified for the future here feels really good for our team," O'Connell added.

Darrisaw couldn't agree more.

"This is my childhood dream," he said. "Playing football at the highest level, being one of the best at the position. Reaping the fruits of my labor, really, is what it is. It's a dream come true."

Drafted by Minnesota 23^rd overall in 2021, Darrisaw made his first start that season against Carolina Week 6. He helped the Vikings rack up 571 yards of offense against the Panthers and walk away with a 34-28 overtime win. Minnesota did not allow a sack in the contest.

The former Virginia Tech Hokie aptly faced two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, whom he'd played against as a college freshman when Burns shined at Florida State, during his first NFL start.

Now he's slated to face Burns again, this time in his first game after signing a second contract. Minnesota will face the Giants, who added Burns as a free agent this spring, Week 1.

"It's full circle, for sure. It seems like every time another accomplishment comes up, I'm going against him," Darrisaw laughed. "He's a great player, as well. Every step that I make, he's right there in front of me."

If again lining up across from Burns feels full circle, it's even more fitting to be anchoring Minnesota's offensive line along with O'Neill, who's shepherded Darrisaw from the beginning.

"Coming in here my rookie year, our lockers were right next to each other. So anytime I'm coming off that field, I'm talking to him, I'm pulling up the [tablet] before he can even shower," Darrisaw quipped. "Week to week, breaking down pass rushers. B.O.'s been a tremendous help."

Though he did have two years left on his rookie deal, Darrisaw is relieved to have the paperwork, per se, out of the way this early on.

O'Connell feels similarly.

"I think C.D. knew we wanted him here," O'Connell said. "Because of the time left on the deal, there's not maybe the great urgency you may feel in other situations, but the desire for C.D. to maintain himself as a huge part of the Minnesota Vikings, and of course our want-to to get that done. I want to credit Drew Rosenhaus, his agent, and Rob Brzezsinki and Kwesi for really coming together and putting together something C.D. can be really proud of, and rightly so. He deserves it.

"Like I said, one of the young premier players at his position in the NFL, and I'm so excited to see him continue a leadership role within the organization," O'Connell continued. "The progression, the upside of a player like Christian Darrisaw has been on full display with his impact on the game, but there's so much room for him to grow in multiple facets of the game, and he's more excited about that than anybody.

"It was the best news we could have heard as a team," O'Connell added. "I know the guys really enjoyed getting that announcement last night at the team meeting, and the love for C.D. is very, very high."