Minnesota Vikings followers cheer from the stands on Aug. 27, 2022, throughout a preseason matchup in Denver towards the Broncos. Vikings supporters routinely journey effectively throughout the nation, serving to create a robust road-game presence throughout each preseason and common season contests as pleasure constructed round Kevin O’Connell’s first 12 months main the franchise. Necessary Credit score: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports activities.
The Minnesota Vikings entered the offseason with a serious query mark at middle, and 4 months in, all indicators level to longtime lineman Blake Brandel as the first repair.
The Vikings handed on a number of outdoors choices, leaving Brandel with a transparent path to the job.
Minnesota may’ve signed a veteran in free company, drafted a rookie middle someplace early within the occasion, or fired off a commerce for a confirmed starter. They’ve achieved none of that.
A Acquainted Lineman Strikes Into the Center
Are you apprehensive or enthusiastic about Brandel as “the guy” at middle?
Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Blake Brandel goes by way of pregame warmups earlier than going through the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 10, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Brandel continued to fill a number of roles alongside Minnesota’s offensive entrance through the 2024 season, offering the Vikings with reliable depth and lineup flexibility as accidents reshaped the safety unit all year long. Necessary Credit score: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Photographs.
Momentum Builds for Brandel at Middle
By the method of elimination, Brandel positive seems to be just like the frontrunner to start out at middle in September.
Then, The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis dropped this intel on Monday, “The Vikings could have selected a center in the early rounds of the draft, but they didn’t. Instead, the team doubled down on its long-held belief in Brandel.”
“For years, coaches felt he had the physical traits to play center. They thought he could thrive if he ever got the full-time job. Brandel validated some of those opinions in 2025, when the Vikings tossed him into the fire against the Cleveland Browns’ vaunted front. He didn’t sink. He swam.”
There’s a world the place Brandel merely thrives at middle this 12 months, however that leaves lots to probability for a workforce that may’t actually afford offensive line uncertainty.
Lewis continued, “His 6-foot-7, 315-pound frame offers a sturdy barrier in the middle. Because Brandel has played every position on the offensive line, he has the pre- and post-snap understanding to handle whatever coach Kevin O’Connell throws at him.”
“As long as he doesn’t suffer a summer injury, he should enter training camp with a clear path to the starting job.”
Brandel in 2025
Regardless of his preliminary depth chart place as a backup, Brandel’s 2025 season proved way more important than anticipated. He participated in all 17 video games, beginning 9 and taking part in 64% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps. This substantial workload stemmed instantly from important accidents to the Vikings’ offensive line, which pressured heavy reliance on Brandel, who delivered strong play.
Brandel’s main worth lies in his versatility. Able to taking part in guard, deal with, and middle, he proved invaluable in 2025 by filling a number of roles. The Vikings didn’t require a celebrity; they merely wanted a dependable presence to stabilize the road amidst fixed upheaval. That was Brandel in 2025.
His efficiency at middle was notably noteworthy. Taking part in 383 snaps there, Brandel confirmed marked enchancment all through the season, reworking his 2026 beginning middle prospects from an outdoor probability into a real risk. Right here we’re a half a 12 months later.
Minnesota Vikings offensive deal with Blake Brandel stands on the sphere through the NFL Worldwide Collection recreation on Oct. 2, 2022, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. Brandel supplied depth alongside Minnesota’s offensive line through the abroad matchup because the Vikings continued increasing their worldwide presence beneath first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell. Necessary Credit score: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Whereas his 61.4 PFF grade signifies a strong, moderately than celebrity, efficiency, the extent of consistency is extremely priceless. A member of the 2020 draft class (alongside Justin Jefferson), Brandel has quietly develop into one of many workforce’s longest-tenured gamers.
The Vikings Handed on These Males
It didn’t should be Brandel or bust. Minnesota moderately may’ve signed considered one of these free brokers in March:
Tyler Biadasz (Washington Commanders)
Lloyd Cushenberry (Buffalo Payments)
Luke Fortner (Carolina Panthers)
Elgton Jenkins (Cleveland Browns)
Cade Mays (Detroit Lions)
Tyler Linderbaum, the almighty OL prize from free company, was out of the Vikings’ worth vary, however the 5 above weren’t.
Thereafter, the 2026 NFL Draft has a “Big Four” of facilities. Minnesota drafted none of those males:
Jake Slaughter (Los Angeles Chargers)
Connor Lew (Cincinnati Bengals)
Sam Hecht (Carolina Panthers)
Logan Jones (Chicago Bears)
Curiously, the Panthers doubled at middle; maybe Fortner may finally be accessible through commerce.
Wildcards at C
Whereas Brandel tasks because the Week 1 middle, he could possibly be upended by two attainable contenders if one assumes the Vikings don’t make any trades, equivalent to deal for Miami Dolphins middle Aaron Brewer.
Cincinnati offensive lineman Gavin Gerhardt speaks with reporters throughout Huge 12 Soccer Media Days on July 8, 2025, at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Gerhardt addressed the media forward of the 2025 school soccer season after creating into an skilled piece of Cincinnati’s offensive line rotation and drawing elevated NFL consideration coming into his closing marketing campaign. Necessary Credit score: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Photographs.
The primary is Michael Jurgens, a late-round choose in 2024, who noticed slightly motion at middle in 2025. Most contemplate a Jurgens a depth middle, not a starter. Too, the Vikings drafted Cincinnati’s Gavin Gerhardt in Spherical 7 three weeks in the past, and per the membership’s post-draft commentary, it sounded just like the teaching workers recognized him as “the guy” at middle for his or her rookie resolution.
If Brandel falters or will get damage, there’s a good probability that Gerhardt is the go-to substitute.
It’s additionally price noting that 2026 is scheduled to be Brandel’s closing 12 months in Minnesota. He could possibly be eligible for a contract extension as early as now.
He’ll flip 30 in January.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
