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One Development from Vikings OTAs Towers Above the Rest
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- One Development from Vikings OTAs Towers Above the Rest
Jeff Hanisch
While the Minnesota Vikings already appear to have a frontrunner at the quarterback spot in Kyler Murray, that development, believe it or not, was not the main headline from organized team activities (OTAs). Instead, left tackle Christian Darrisaw 's clean bill of health takes the cake.
Darrisaw told reporters that he felt great — welcome news after a pear-shaped ACL tear recovery sullied his 2025 campaign.
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Vikings OL Outlook Gets a Timely Summer Boost
Minnesota Vikings tackle Christian Darrisaw sets up before a snap against Philadelphia, locking in along the offensive line as Minnesota searched for rhythm in a difficult road environment. On September 19, 2022, Darrisaw faced the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, continuing his early-career development against a physical NFC opponent. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
Darrisaw Feeling Great
A reporter asked Darrisaw about his knee last week, and he promptly replied , "Best it's felt in two years. I'm trending in the right direction. Full motion, everything feels great."
Head coach Kevin O'Connell added , "We're being smart with him, but at the same time, we're making sure he's part of this collective o-line group elevation that's happening. That group has a high standard for themselves. Christian has a very high standard for himself, and that's one of the reasons we're so excited to have him back and feeling healthy and feeling good."
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The update could not have been better.
A Sigh of Relief
Before OTAs, Darrisaw's recovery status acted as one of the Vikings' most important storylines. For example, if the injury still lingered — as it did in 2025 — well, a bit of a doomsday feeling would hang over the organization and the offensive line in particular. He signed a four-year, $76 million extension in the summer of 2024 and has cap numbers north of $27 million in 2027, 2028, and 2029. The Vikings need a healthy Darrisaw; that's all there is to it.
In addition to the quarterback battle this summer, who would land the general manager job, and Harrison Smith 's return-or-retire status, Darrisaw's prognosis stood a chance of dominating the summer discourse surrounding Minnesota. "Feeling great" at OTAs lessens the anxiety.
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A Pitch Count Last Year
Darrisaw wound up playing 10 games in 2025, complete with 504 offensive snaps. In fact, since the start of 2024, he's missed 50% of all Vikings games due to the ACL tear, which he suffered on Thursday Night Football at the Los Angeles Rams in October 2024 — the game when Sam Darnold 's facemask was yanked on the decisive drive, and the referees shrugged their shoulders.
His recovery has been so strange that the Vikings put Darrisaw on an in-game pitch count last season. He was even pulled from a game or two in the 4th Quarter because he hit his snap quota, an odd development. After all, a team's best players usually aren't sidelined with the contest on the line.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw works through team practice overseas, staying active with teammates as the club adjusted to a different setting before game day. On Oct. 4, 2024, Darrisaw participated at The Grove in Watford, United Kingdom, while Minnesota prepared for its international matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Weird is the best way to describe Darrisaw's ACL situation, at least until OTAs. Some players return seamlessly in nine months from ACL tears. Others encounter bumps in the road. Darrisaw fit into the latter criteria.
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More OT Insurance This Year — Just in Case
Thankfully, if Darrisaw were to suffer another setback, the Vikings have more OT insurance in 2026. The club typically signs a savvy veteran like David Quessenberry or Justin Skule , using those players as the main fallback. In 2026, the strategy has changed.
Minnesota signed a Quessenberry-like and Skule-like veteran named Ryan Van Demark from the Buffalo Bills . In theory, he could fill in efficiently for Darrisaw in the worst-case scenario.
But that wasn't all. The Vikings drafted Northwestern's Caleb Tiernan in April, a 3rd-Rounder from Northwestern. The franchise hasn't drafted tackles that high lately, a signal that it means business with Darrisaw's looming recovery and Brian O'Neill's contract expiring after 2026.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins celebrates with offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw after a second-half touchdown, marking a key moment in a divisional road win over Chicago. On Dec. 20, 2021, the Vikings finished the play at Soldier Field as Darrisaw joined Cousins in the end-zone celebration. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports.
Van Demark + Tiernan is much more offensive line depth than in years past.
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Our Brevan Bane's observations on the offensive line last weekend, "Assuming Darrisaw is back to his old elite self, there are still some questions to be answered regarding its components. Left guard Donovan Jackson had a decent rookie season, and the hope is that he will continue to build upon. Right guard Will Fries is also decent, but is a potential name to keep an eye on regarding an exit after the 2026 season. Brian O'Neill is still solid, but gets banged up every season."
"The biggest question mark is lighting up above the center position. Blake Brandel seems to be on a fast track to become the starting center in 2026. However, the Vikings drafted Cincinnati C Gavin Gerhardt with their final selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. While Gerhardt is likely a long-term project, the Vikings could still hold out hope that he gives Brandel a run for the starting job in training camp."
Darrisaw turned 27 last week.
