Vikings Retain Two Versatile Offensive Linemen

Josh Frey |

Mar 11, 2024

Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits idle on the field before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Moments after the Minnesota Vikings signed Jonathan Greenard as their first big splash of free agency, they opted to retain some key depth pieces.

Minnesota entered free agency with just seven offensive linemen under contract for 2024, but that is set to change after the Vikings re-signed both Blake Brandel and David Quessenberry for this upcoming season.

Vikings Re-Sign Two O-Line Pieces

The team officially announced the signings via social media, tweeting, “The #Vikings have re-signed Blake Brandel and David Quessenberry.”

Brandel was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Oregon State. He began his career as a tackle and has proven to be a very versatile offensive lineman throughout his career with the team.

The Vikings did not have Brandel start any games during his first two NFL seasons, but that changed in 2022 when he made his first career start against the New England Patriots at left tackle after Christian Darrisaw suffered a concussion the week before.

Vikings Activate Blake Brandel Off IR — Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Blake Brandel (64) stretches before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Brandel would make three starts at the position, but he had his own bad injury luck in Week 14 against the Lions when he tore his MCL, thus ending his season. Then, he made the transition to guard for the 2023 season, and he made two starts at right guard for Ed Ingram.

As for Quessenberry, he was signed by the Vikings last offseason after spending the 2022 season with the Buffalo Bills. The 6’5″ offensive lineman proved to be a very important depth piece for the Vikings throughout the year, making a start at left tackle and three more starts at the right tackle spot.

Both Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill have been stalwart players at the tackle positions, but they have each undergone some injury troubles throughout their NFL careers. As a result, keeping capable depth at the position needed to be a priority heading into 2024.

Oct 9, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive tackle David Quessenberry (77) prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The Brandel and Quessenberry contracts do exactly that.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference.

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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.