Vikings Exercise Fourth-Year Contract Option for Coach Leslie Frazier

There were a lot of rumors earlier Wednesday that the Minnesota Vikings had officially offered head coach Leslie Frazier a contract extension.  While those rumors proved to be false, the Vikings did make a move that gives a vote of confidence to the coach.

ESPN is reporting that the Vikings exercised a fourth-year option in Frazier's contract, which will keep him as head coach through at least 2014.

The move helps Frazier avoid what would have been a lame-duck season in 2013 while also giving the team some flexibility going forward.

"Coach Frazier has done a remarkable job in building a strong foundation for the Minnesota Vikings and creating a very positive future," Vikings owner Mark Wilf said in a statement issued by the team. "We value his leadership and look forward to working with him for many years to come."

In his short tenure, the soft spoken but tough Frazier has earned the respect of the locker room.  Franchise player Adrian Peterson has been very vocal in his support of his head coach.

If the Vikings continue to grow as a team and win, I would expect a formal contract extension at the end of the 2013 season.