There are a lot of players on the move this offseason. Whether it is free agency or trades, it is always interesting to see the new players with their new teams and wonder how those transactions will impact the Minnesota Vikings.
It is exceptionally interesting when a familiar face makes the move to a team that the Vikings are very familiar with. When that team is a division opponent of Minnesota, it means the team will see him at least twice a year.
Former Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury has been traded to the Chicago Bears.
On Friday, the New England Patriots traded center Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears. The offensive lineman was a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings 2019 NFL Draft but was released after six seasons.
Bradbury played only one season with the Patriots before he was traded to the Chicago Bears for a fifth-round pick. Considering he played 17 games for New England and played 98 percent of the team's offensive snaps, that's a major change from last season's AFC Champions.
The Bears needed to do something at the center position this offseason. In a somewhat surprising move, last year's starter in Chicago, Drew Dalman, retired from football at age 27 after five seasons in the league and only one with the Bears despite signing a three-year deal with them last offseason.
Bradbury struggled with the Vikings and had a tough time protecting the quarterback for New England, particularly against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. However, Chicago addressed the position to get an experienced blocker to help keep them a team on the rise,
Now, Garrett Bradbury will be on the final year of his contract in Chicago. Chicago is on the hook for $4.7 million of that deal and will be depended on to be an anchor for their offensive line after winning 11 games last season.
For the Vikings, having a familiar center on a division rival's starting offensive line could be an advantage. Having knowledge of his tendencies and skills could be beneficial for Brian Flores' defense as they attempt to slow Chicago down offensively.
Although the trade and the details were announced on Friday, the trade cannot be completed until the start of the new league year on Wednesday. However, there is no reason to think anything will keep the former Minnesota Vikings center from returning to the NFC North.