The Minnesota Vikings made quite a few moves this offseason, but their primary focus seemed to be on reinforcing their trenches by signing offensive and defensive linemen early in free agency to get ready for the 2025 NFL season.
One of those transactions the Vikings made is to replace center Garrett Bradbury with former Indianapolis Colts free agent Ryan Kelly, Bradbury was a first-round pick of Minnesota in the 2019 NFL Draft but struggled to hold his ground against bigger, stronger defenders
Kelly is now set to be the starting center while Bradbury was released and signed a two-year deal with the New England Patriots. The change should help secure the pass protection of quarterback J.J. McCarthy while creating holes in the run game for Aaron Jones.
The decision by the Minnesota Vikings to move on from center Garrett Bradbury and sign Ryan Kelly already looks like a good move.
Although time will tell if replacing Garrett Bradbury with Ryan Kelly will pay off, Minnesota Vikings fans are optimistic about his ability to be more of an anchor on the offensive line and provide more stability and consistency at center.
Recently, Pro Football Focus ranked all 32 starting centers in the NFL, and the placement of Ryan Kelly and Garrett Bradbury in the piece by Mason Cameron should be enough to encourage Vikings fans even more.
Kelly landed at No. 8 on the list, and while there is mention of his injury, PFF praised his recent play, citing great grades in pass protection and run blocking.
"While his grading profile took a hit in 2024, he isn’t far removed from a career year in 2023, when he was one of just two centers to post a 75.0-plus PFF grade as a pass protector and a run blocker, powered by his 78.3 PFF pass-blocking grade — the highest among qualifying centers."Mason Cameron via PFF
To further make things interesting, former Vikings starter Garrett Bradbury is in the No. 25 spot on the list after struggling mightily in 2024.
"While Bradbury has a checkered history, particularly as a pass protector, he is a solid run blocker, having ranked in the 80th percentile in positively graded run-play rate over the past three seasons."Mason Cameron via PFF
The Minnesota Vikings went the extra mile in free agency to protect young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. On the other hand, the New England Patriots will be trusting Bradbury with protecting their young passer, Drake Maye.