Vikings Shake Up O-Line: Longtime Center Garrett Bradbury Out as Minnesota Rebuilds the Trenches

The Minnesota Vikings are making major changes to their offensive line this offseason, signaling the end of longtime center Garrett Bradbury’s tenure with the team. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Vikings plan to release Bradbury unless they can finalize a trade.

Bradbury, 29, was drafted by Minnesota in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, selected 18th overall. Over the past six seasons, he has been a consistent presence at center, starting all 88 games he played, including every game in the 2023 season. Despite his durability, the Vikings have decided to move on, partly due to salary cap considerations. Bradbury’s contract, which he signed in 2022, has no guaranteed money for 2025, and his release would save the team $3.622 million.

Minnesota has already found Bradbury’s replacement, signing four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, to a two-year, $18 million deal. The team has also bolstered the interior line by signing guard Will Fries, another former Colt, to a massive five-year, $88 million contract. These moves reflect the Vikings’ commitment to strengthening their offensive line, an area of concern in recent years.

The overhaul didn’t stop there. On Thursday, the Vikings traded right guard Ed Ingram to the Houston Texans in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026. Meanwhile, guard Dalton Risner, who started 19 games for Minnesota over the last two seasons, remains a free agent.

To add further depth, the Vikings agreed to terms with offensive tackle Justin Skule, who started five games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023.

With these changes, Minnesota is reshaping its offensive line in hopes of building a stronger, more reliable unit heading into the 2024 season.