How Much Does a Center Matter for the Vikings?

Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.

The Minnesota Vikings have been faced with uncertainty on the offensive line all season. The next question they are about to answer is just how much a center matters. After spending significantly to beef up the interior this offseason, nothing has gone right. Now they are down to playing scraps.

The Minnesota Vikings may be breaking in a completely new center on Sunday, and that will tell us just how much the position matters.

Ryan Kelly suffered another concussion against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his career total in that department is racking up. It’s difficult and troublesome to think about his future on the football field when considering the impact his brain has sustained while wearing a helmet.

The Vikings Are Down to Nubbins at Center

Regardless of what the future looks like for Kelly, the Minnesota Vikings must press on. Realistically, that would have been in the form of Michael Jurgens assuming the starting center role. Unfortunately, he’s now hurt as well and has missed the first two practices of this week in the lead-up to a game against the Cleveland Browns. Minnesota officially ruled Jurgens out on Friday.

Blake Brandel in the 2024 playoffs for the Vikings — Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota guard B. Brandel (64) blocks for quarterback Sam Darnold (14) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

The Vikings recently signed local product Matt Waletzko to their practice squad to provide depth for the offensive line. He’s a tackle and had to take the long flight overseas to make himself available before a Week 5 contest in London. His addition doesn’t help the situation at center, and that could be the most critical position for Minnesota on Sunday.

Down both Kelly and Jurgens, it looks as though Blake Brandel will draw the start in front of quarterback Carson Wentz. He has taken practice reps in the role, but has not once played the position during his career. We are about to find out very quickly just how much that matters.

Aug 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota offensive line and guard Michael Jurgens (65) holds the ball on the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

A center is in control of starting everything for the offense. Snaps dictate whether or not there are false start penalties, how the line gels, and what the quarterback sees once the ball is in his hands. It’s a scary predicament for a Kevin O’Connell offense that has failed to click through the early portion of the season.

Minnesota has Wentz under center because J.J. McCarthy is injured. The results have been something of a mixed bag, and now he’s going to deal with a relatively unprecedented situation. O’Connell will need to factor this reality into his playcalling, and Brandel must do his best to avoid making the moonlit role a problematic insertion.

J.J. McCarthy and Ryan Kelly warm up before Vikings preseason game versus Texans. — Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and Ryan Kelly (78) warmed up Aug 9, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, ahead of the preseason matchup with the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. The duo stretched and ran drills on the field before kickoff as Minnesota evaluated new roster pieces and prepared for its opening exhibition game in front of home fans. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

We’ll find out just how much a capable starting center matters on Sunday if the injury report continues to trend in a negative direction. Things keep getting less pretty for this outfit.

Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler