Mike Zimmer Says Brandon Fusco Could Switch to Left Guard

The Vikings have a surprise candidate to replace Charlie Johnson at left guard, and it’s someone Viking fans are already very familiar with.

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In a talk with Sid Hartman of the Star-Tribune, Mike Zimmer mentioned various options for filling the left guard need and an unexpected name came up: Brandon Fusco.

"“We are looking at a few guys right now,” he said. “Obviously [veteran] Joe Berger has a chance to fit in with the mix. We have actually been looking at Brandon Fusco moving over to left guard and T.J. Clemmings playing right guard. Also the kid [tackle] Carter Bykowski] that we took off of San Francisco’s practice squad has looked good as well.”"

Fusco has developed into a very good right guard, though last year things went off the rails for him due to a torn pectoral muscle.

Just speculating on why the Vikings might be considering this move: you have to assume it’s connected to the Matt Kalil situation. Brandon Fusco is the best guard on the team and the Vikings might think Kalil would be better with Fusco alongside him.

The Vikings reportedly believe a big part of Kalil’s problem last year was the lack of help he got from Charlie Johnson. Presumably, Fusco and Kalil would communicate better than Kalil and Johnson seemed to at times last year.

The other interesting take-away from Zimmer’s remarks is the Vikings’ working T.J. Clemmings at right guard. It was thought that Clemmings might be in the mix at left guard, but it’s possible the Vikings prefer not to have a rookie working on that side while Kalil gets things sorted.

Whatever happens with this whole guard situation, it’s good that the Vikings have given themselves the flexibility to try players at different spots and determine the best combination. The Vikings targeted offensive line heavily in the draft this year with the specific intention of giving themselves more options both at starting and backup positions.

All I know for sure is that whoever ends up playing left guard, he will not be as bad as Charlie Johnson.

Next: Is Trae Waynes Overrated Garbage?

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