headtopics
The Minnesota Vikings invested heavily this offseason to address roster deficiencies through free agency and the draft, but one starting role remains unsettled: center. The offensive line is a particular area of focus, as the team hopes to improve after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah attempted to solidify the position by signing former Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly to a two-year contract. However, Kelly's tenure in Minnesota was marred by concussion issues, forcing him to retire after just one season. The 2016 first-round pick struggled to stay on the field, leaving a void at the pivot.
Last season, Blake Brandel stepped in as Kelly's primary backup and showed steady improvement as the year progressed. Now, Brandel enters 2026 as the front-runner for the starting job. But head coach Kevin O'Connell will need to evaluate all options during training camp to determine the depth chart.
Key Contenders
Brandel faces competition from two younger players: Michael Jurgens, a 2024 seventh-round pick, and Gavin Gerhardt, a 2026 seventh-round selection out of Cincinnati. Gerhardt, who stands six-foot-four and weighs 310 pounds, served as a team captain in college. Brandel's NFL experience gives him an edge, but both Jurgens and Gerhardt could impress in camp and preseason.
The other four offensive line spots are locked in: left tackle Christian Darrisaw, left guard Donovan Jackson, right guard Will Fries, and right tackle Brian O'Neill. The only question is who will snap the ball to the quarterback. With a more stable offensive line and improved quarterback play, the Vikings offense—which was dreadful and inconsistent last season—could rebound in 2026.
Originally reported by headtopics.