Multiple Minnesota Vikings starters lost their jobs this offseason as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made some bold moves to fortify the offensive line group both in free agency and the draft.
The Vikings released center Garrett Bradbury and traded right guard Ed Ingram. They notably kept left guard Blake Brandel, though, demoting him to backup duty behind rookie Donovan Jackson.
Brandel had a rough 2024 season, to put it mildly. Per PFF, he was responsible for team highs in sacks allowed (nine) and accepted penalties (11). He was also charged with 46 QB pressures, which was second only to replacement left tackle Cam Robinson.
The Vikings clearly value Brandel’s versatility, though, and he showed why on Sunday when he relieved All-Pro left tackle Christian Darrisaw in the second half of their blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Brandel was excellent in his 26 snaps, scoring an 83.9 pass protection grade from PFF; overall, he pitched a clean sheet on 12 pass blocking reps.
Minnesota will be counting on Brandel for an expanded role going forward. Head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed Monday that Jackson will miss time after undergoing surgery on his wrist; the first-round pick out of Ohio State isn't expected back until after Minnesota's Week 6 bye.
That means Brandel will be back at his familiar post at left guard — beginning with Sunday’s matchup against the always disruptive Pittsburgh Steelers. That can't be popular news among a Vikings fan base that watched Brandel struggle to protect Sam Darnold last year, but the team will be banking on one important factor that should help shore things up this time around.
Christian Darrisaw’s return changes the outlook for the entire Minnesota Vikings offensive line
Brandel played in relief of Darrisaw during Sunday’s rout of the Bengals, but that won’t be the case for this week's game, which will be the NFL's first to be played in Ireland.
With center Ryan Kelly (concussion) tracking towards a return this week, the Vikings are expected to be fully loaded up front, outside of Jackson. The good news is that Brandel was a completely different player last season when Darrisaw was in the lineup, playing alongside him.
Darrisaw suffered his season-ending knee injury in Week 8 of the 2024 season. In the seven games prior, Brandel surrendered just six QB pressures, five hurries, and was charged with one sack allowed, per PFF.
The remaining 11-plus games without Darrisaw were a completely different story for Brandel and the Vikings’ entire offensive line; Brandel allowed 40 pressures and eight sacks over that span.
Minnesota will have its hands full with T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and the Steelers’ front seven regardless this week. But while Jackson played well in his first three games as a pro, Brandel should be able to hold down the fort at left guard without worry until the star rookie is ready to return.