The Vikings re-signed fullback C.J. Ham to a contract extension Wednesday, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.  This according to his agency. The move should give Minnesota more salary cap relief while retaining a key leader in the locker room for another two seasons.

Ham, 29, was commanding a $3.8 million cap charge in the final year of his contract. The Vikings likely lowered his figure for this season as the team toes the salary cap, and currently holds two veteran contracts at running back in Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison.

Ham, who has appeared in 96 of 98 regular season games the past six seasons, has been a core special teams contributor. He has ranked sixth or higher in special teams snaps since making the active roster. The former Duluth and Augustana running back was originally an undrafted tryout signing by the Vikings in 2016. He was voted by teammates as a special teams captain last season.

The fullback didn't have much room in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense last season. Ham's playing time dipped, peaking with 13 to 18 snaps in seven games and ranking 10th among all NFL fullbacks in playing time. He ranked top three from 2019 to 2021.

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