Path Clears for Longtime Viking to Start

The Minnesota Vikings entered the offseason with a major question mark at center, and four months in, all signs point to longtime lineman Blake Brandel as the primary fix.

The Vikings passed on several outside options, leaving Brandel with a clear path to the job.

Minnesota could’ve signed a veteran in free agency, drafted a rookie center somewhere early in the event, or fired off a trade for a proven starter. They’ve done none of that.

A Familiar Lineman Moves Into the Middle

Are you worried or excited about Brandel as “the guy” at center?

Momentum Builds for Brandel at Center

Through the process of elimination, Brandel sure looks like the frontrunner to start at center in September.

Then, The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis dropped this intel on Monday, “The Vikings could have selected a center in the early rounds of the draft, but they didn’t. Instead, the team doubled down on its long-held belief in Brandel.”

“For years, coaches felt he had the physical traits to play center. They thought he could thrive if he ever got the full-time job. Brandel validated some of those opinions in 2025, when the Vikings tossed him into the fire against the Cleveland Browns’ vaunted front. He didn’t sink. He swam.”

There is a world where Brandel simply thrives at center this year, but that leaves a lot to chance for a team that can’t really afford offensive line uncertainty.

Lewis continued, “His 6-foot-7, 315-pound frame offers a sturdy barrier in the middle. Because Brandel has played every position on the offensive line, he has the pre- and post-snap understanding to handle whatever coach Kevin O’Connell throws at him.”

“As long as he doesn’t suffer a summer injury, he should enter training camp with a clear path to the starting job.”

Brandel in 2025

Despite his initial depth chart position as a backup, Brandel’s 2025 season proved far more significant than anticipated. He participated in all 17 games, starting nine and playing 64% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps. This substantial workload stemmed directly from significant injuries to the Vikings’ offensive line, which forced heavy reliance on Brandel, who delivered solid play.

Brandel’s primary value lies in his versatility. Capable of playing guard, tackle, and center, he proved invaluable in 2025 by filling multiple roles. The Vikings didn’t require a superstar; they simply needed a reliable presence to stabilize the line amidst constant upheaval. That was Brandel in 2025.

His performance at center was particularly noteworthy. Playing 383 snaps there, Brandel showed marked improvement throughout the season, transforming his 2026 starting center prospects from an outside chance into a genuine possibility. Here we are a half a year later.

While his 61.4 PFF grade indicates a solid, rather than superstar, performance, the level of consistency is highly valuable. A member of the 2020 draft class (alongside Justin Jefferson), Brandel has quietly become one of the team’s longest-tenured players.

The Vikings Passed on These Men

It didn’t have to be Brandel or bust. Minnesota reasonably could’ve signed one of these free agents in March:

• Tyler Biadasz (Washington Commanders)
• Lloyd Cushenberry (Buffalo Bills)
• Luke Fortner (Carolina Panthers)
• Elgton Jenkins (Cleveland Browns)
• Cade Mays (Detroit Lions)

Tyler Linderbaum, the almighty OL prize from free agency, was out of the Vikings’ price range, but the five above were not.

Thereafter, the 2026 NFL Draft has a “Big Four” of centers. Minnesota drafted none of these men:

• Jake Slaughter (Los Angeles Chargers)
• Connor Lew (Cincinnati Bengals)
• Sam Hecht (Carolina Panthers)
• Logan Jones (Chicago Bears)

Interestingly, the Panthers doubled at center; perhaps Fortner could eventually be available via trade.

Wildcards at C

While Brandel projects as the Week 1 center, he could be upended by two possible contenders if one assumes the Vikings don’t make any trades, such as deal for Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer.

The first is Michael Jurgens, a late-round pick in 2024, who saw a little action at center in 2025. Most consider a Jurgens a depth center, not a starter. Too, the Vikings drafted Cincinnati’s Gavin Gerhardt in Round 7 three weeks ago, and per the club’s post-draft commentary, it sounded like the coaching staff identified him as “the guy” at center for their rookie solution.

If Brandel falters or gets hurt, there’s a decent chance that Gerhardt is the go-to replacement.

It’s also worth noting that 2026 is scheduled to be Brandel’s final year in Minnesota. He could be eligible for a contract extension as early as now.

He’ll turn 30 in January.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker