The Vikings’ C1 is Battling to Avoid an Upcoming Roster Cut
Before too long, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is going to work toward undoing some of the contracts he constructed last March. The team’s finances are no longer in good shape, showing significant debt ahead of the 2026 league year.
As a result, the Vikings’ C1 — Mr. Ryan Kelly — is currently auditioning for his job next season.
There’s a possibility that the two sides arrive at a reasonable compromise. Essentially, keep Kelly attached to the 53-man roster but at a reduced rate. If, however, there isn’t a straightforward pay cut, there’s a distinct possibility that the long-time Colt is moving into his final stretch as a Viking.
The Vikings’ C1 Ryan Kelly Fighting for Roster Spot
Per Over the Cap, Minnesota’s debt load for 2026 is sitting at roughly $36 million. Insurmountable? By no means. Painful? Most certainly.
Moving on from Kelly would mean gaining an easy $12,117,500. Making that option appear extra appealing is that there’s no dead money left over. Just pure savings for a cap-crunched team. The financial savings alongside zero financial pain means that cutting Kelly is going to be a consideration.
Consider, as well, that Minnesota has some built-in replacement options.
For starters, there’s Blake Brandel, the depth offensive lineman who always impresses. Nobody watches Brandel and thinks of all-time greats like Trent Williams (almost became a Viking) or Steve Hutchinson. What’s so impressive, though, is that he can play literally all five o-line positions (as he told me a little while back).
Minnesota could take a look at Mr. Brandel and see a capable replacement for center. He’s accounting for a much more modest $4.166 million cap charge next season. He’s not as good as Kelly but is cheaper, younger, and has less of an injury history.
Even more encouraging for the Vikings is that Michael Jurgens will still be around. He was the initial fill-in for Kelly when the starter was working through concussion recovery. He struggles in there, too easily ceding ground to powerful defensive tackles. Keep in mind, though, that he’s a late-round center who is working in his sophomore season. No guarantee, but he could yet improve. The Vikings could do worse at backup center.
Can Ryan Kelly prove to be so valuable that he’ll justify keeping around? If so, then an extension or pay cut could come into play, but both avenues have issues. Extending an older player with injury concerns carries risk; players seldom want to accept a pay cut. Neither option is a slam dunk.
Working against Kelly is that he’s 32. Working against him is that he battled concussion in 2025, suffering a pair that kept him sidelined for all of the season apart from four games. If he continues being healthy, Kelly will offer a maximum of ten games in 2025.
The Vikings have a very strong center in Ryan Kelly. He is, in fact, one the NFL’s best, earning a great 80.8 grade on PFF. But while he’s very intelligent and very rugged, Kelly is a well-paid, old, recently-injured center who could be cut with no financial consequence but to great financial benefit.
Keep an eye on the man who is snapping the ball in the coming weeks. He’s an excellent player, but it remains to be seen if he’ll maintain his employment in the Twin Cities.
