The Vikings’ O-Line Just Slimmed Down
In recent history, the Vikings’ o-line has been a common source of anxiety.
Those days may finally be behind Minnesota. Part of that process of building a formidable offensive line has been about welcoming plenty of competition in the offseason, doing so in an effort to ensure that Week 1 involves an imposing front five to act at bodyguards for J.J. McCarthy. The recent update is that one of those depth options has been shown the door ahead of today’s 53-man roster deadline.
The Vikings’ O-Line Slimmed Down
The news arrives from Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network. Check it out: “The #Vikings are waiving OL Michael Gonzalez, per source.”
Mr. Gonzalez, 22, is listed as being 6’4″ and 305 pounds on the team website. He played his college ball at Louisville before getting into the NFL as an undrafted player. His stops have included time in the Twin Cities while also finding employment in Atlanta.
At various points in August, the Vikings’ o-line has been the subject of some fascination due to a mixture of good and bad news.
One thinks of losing depth options such as Zeke Correll and Matt Nelson. Neither seemed likely to play a huge role — or even make the team — but seeing them go down nevertheless stung (for them as individuals most of all). The good news is simply that Christian Darrisaw is doing well. So, too, has Will Fries been able to get into the action.
There has also been some intrigue about what UDFA guard Joe Huber is capable of doing, whether Blake Brandel gets moved out, and the ongoing development of new LG1 Donovan Jackson.
Pretty quietly, the Vikings find themselves in a potentially dicey spot at a critical position. Ryan Kelly is a great center when he is healthy. As a result, he got brought aboard to be the team’s C1, lending his ruggedness and intelligence to the first-time starter, J.J. McCarthy.
The concern is simply that he isn’t always available. Since 2020, Mr. Kelly has played a full season just a single time. Last year, he got into ten games. Could the Vikings weather the storm if he again missed seven games?
Behind Kelly is Michael Jurgens, a sophomore who was chosen in the 7th of the 2024 NFL Draft. Leaning on Jurgens to be the center for a week or two would be manageable, but anything beyond that could be tricky for the Vikings.
More broadly, there’s at least some concern about the interior of the Vikings’ o-line. Jackson has lots of upside but he’s an unproven rookie. Fries has offered some glimpses of top-tier ability, but they’ve been precisely that: glimpses, not a long track record of ironclad success.
Add it all together and the progression of the team’s iOL is something to watch for during the remainder of the day (and, indeed, throughout the season). McCarthy’s life is going to be pretty difficult if burly defensive tackles are consistently collapsing the pocket.
The Vikings’ o-line is going to get a test to begin the season on the road versus the Bears. Chicago’s defense is stronger than a lot of people realize, so whether J.J. McCarthy can get comfortable will be something to monitor.
Michael Gonzalez, for better of worse, won’t be available to protect the QB.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
