Veteran Emerges as Frontrunner for Vikings Starting OL Job

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Veteran Emerges as Frontrunner for Vikings Starting OL Job

Veteran Emerges as Frontrunner for Vikings Starting OL Job — Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O'Neill and guard Blake Brandel work through side-by-side reps at the team's training facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Jun. 10, 2025, focusing on timing, footwork, and communication during minicamp drills. The pair continues building cohesion as the offensive line sharpens execution in offseason preparation. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Dustin Baker · Vikings Territory

Tue, Mar 31, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Have you wondered for a few weeks why the Minnesota Vikings haven't signed a center from free agency to replace retired four-time Pro Bowler Ryan Kelly ? It seems the answer is in-house: the club likes veteran Blake Brandel for the job.

Minnesota's clearest in-house answer at center is coming into focus.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell spoke to reporters on Monday at the NFL's league meetings, and he called out Brandel as the odds-on favorite for the starting center post in 2026, with the caveat that next month's draft has some intriguing names.

Brandel Has the Early Edge in the Center Battle

The Week 1 center may not be a mystery.

Blake Brandel lined up on the offensive line during a Vikings playoff game against the Rams. Blake Brandel Vikings. — Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) lines up during an NFC Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Jan. 13, 2025, setting his stance before the snap. Brandel prepares to engage at the line as Minnesota's offense works to establish rhythm in postseason action. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

O'Connell on Brandel as Vikings Center Frontrunner

Until Monday, it didn't feel like Minnesota had a known starting center on the depth chart. O'Connell changed that mindset.

He told reporters , "It is great that we feel that good about Blake's versatility, but ultimately we want to do what's best for Blake to ascend and reach his highest potential at one position or have the flexibility still to play multiple. What his offseason looks like, what his training camp looks like and what his work flow looks like leading into the season, we want to have him more than likely at that center spot and build on some things that he did last year."

"It's a position that's got some really unique names in the draft, depending on where you may be looking to take one. There's some guys with experience, there's some guys with tremendous upside and then some guys that have that flex above the neck of really the smarts and the command that it takes to play center at the National Football League level. We'll continue to work through it."

ESPN's Kevin Seifert added , "O'Connell said the Vikings plan to make center the permanent position for longtime backup Blake Brandel, making him the early front-runner for the job that was vacated by Ryan Kelly's retirement."

It's Brandel's job to lose.

Brandel's 2025 Campaign

While technically a reserve, Brandel played 64% of Minnesota's offensive snaps in 2025, appearing in all 16 games with nine starts, a workload that underscores the Vikings' reliance on him.

Although his performance is adequate — evidenced by a 61.4 PFF grade — Brandel's true value lies in his flexibility and reliability. He can seamlessly transition between guard, tackle, and even center without disrupting the offensive line's performance.

This versatility was invaluable in 2025 as injuries ravaged the offensive line. Brandel can step in and perform adequately at multiple positions, a rare capability among linemen. And drafted in 2020 alongside Justin Jefferson , Brandel has quietly become a fixture on the team, building one of the longest tenures on the roster. He did enough to project as the starting center in 2026.

All told, Brandel played 383 snaps in 2025 as the Vikings' center . He improved each week — like clockwork.

No Interest Whatsoever in Free Agent Centers

The Vikings had no plans to sign a free-agent center, despite about five quality options. These men left their 2025 teams for new destinations:

Tyler Linderbaum— BAL → LV
Elgton Jenkins— GB → CLE
Tyler Biadasz— WAS → LAC
Cade Mays— CAR → DET
Luke Fortner— NO → CAR
Austin Schlottmann— NYG → TEN

Many Vikings fans believed Mays or Fortner could be affordable options for O'Connell's team, but Minnesota had no interest. They're content with Brandel.

Michael Jurgens lined up on the offensive line during a Vikings playoff game against the Rams. Blake Brandel Vikings. — Minnesota Vikings guard Michael Jurgens (65) takes his position during an NFC Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Jan. 13, 2025, focusing on his assignment before the snap. Jurgens readies for contact as the offensive line prepares for the next play. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

O'Connell also mentioned Brandel's teammate, center Michael Jurgens: "Michael Jurgens has continued to grow and ascend as a young player. And then I'd be remiss if I didn't mention some of the depth there at that position in the draft."

"We feel really good about the guys we have in that position right now, with the opportunity potentially maybe to add a player as well in the draft, where we see a talented group of guys who could be available."

The Names in the Draft

O'Connell mentioned the draft, which has no main 1st-Rounder center for the Vikings to explore. But it does contain about a half dozen promising rookie candidates.

Connor Lew speaking to reporters at the NFL Combine during a media session in Indianapolis. Blake Brandel Vikings. — Auburn offensive lineman Connor Lew (OL32) addresses reporters during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana on Feb. 28, 2026, speaking with media members about his preparation and draft outlook. Lew answers questions while representing Auburn during the pre-draft evaluation process. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images.

Here's the list, while noting that round placement is obviously approximate:

Round 3 — Connor Lew (Auburn)
Round 3 — Sam Hecht (Kansas State)
Round 3 — Jake Slaughter (Florida)
Round 3/4 — Logan Jones (Iowa)
Round 5 — Parker Brailsford (Alabama)
Round 6 — Pat Coogan (Indiana)

Perhaps the Vikings will draft a player like Coogan , let him develop, and let Brandel roll as the starter in 2026. O'Connell's hints point to such a plan.

A free agent named Ethan Pocic remains on the open market; he's probably the last guy left if O'Connell swerves and signs a center from the wire.

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