The Minnesota Vikings invested heavily in their offensive line this offseason. Signing center Ryan Kelly and left guard Will Fries from the Indianapolis Colts showed that the team is serious about protecting quarterback J.J. McCarthy and creating running lanes for Aaron Jones.
Minnesota has two excellent bookends at offensive tackle on the offensive line. Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill are extremely talented blockers who are among the league's best at their positions when healthy.
That accounts for four of the five starting positions on the offensive line. The only real question at this point is what the Vikings' plan for left guard will be and what kind of impact it will have on the 2025 NFL season.
The Minnesota Vikings still have a big question at left guard
At this time, it appears the Minnesota Vikings are considering moving forward with last year's starter at left guard. Although Blake Brandel started all 1,117 offensive snaps and 90 special teams snaps last season, his inconsistent play and six false start penalties were alarming and could be a reason to re-evaluate that plan.
Minnesota still has options. Former starting guard Dalton Risner is still an unrestricted free agent A competition involving Michael Jurgens, Henry Byrd, and Marcellus Johnson could help determine a backup or rotational role.
There is also the 2025 NFL Draft, with some interesting prospects that the purple and gold could like as a potential future starter at left guard. However, a pick used there could take away a potential immediate impact player since Minnesota only has four picks in the draft.
Minnesota likely wants to see if Brandel can improve this offseason to prove he's the right man for the job. His six-foot-seven, 315-pound frame is great for a lineman and all they need to see from him to feel comfortable with him as a starter is more consistency.
Major issues with former starters Ed Ingram and Garrett Bradbury forced the team to make some changes. Bradbury had good technique but struggled mightily against bigger, stronger opposition, Meanwhile, Ingram was taking far too long to learn from his mental mistakes.
Now, the focus shifts to the 2025 NFL season, when the Minnesota Vikings' offense will look different from the one the team used in the previous season. Hopefully, the team's general manager and head coach can assemble a competent offensive line that can help win games this year.