The Vikings’ Head Coach Tosses Up a Smokescreen
Blake Brandel, recently confirmed for a position switch, can be a trusted starter at center. The statement points toward a possible truth, but it isn’t completely believable even if the Vikings’ head coach always leans toward optimism. Is it really fair to say that the veteran was able to “seamlessly jump in there” last season? Maybe, but there were a few struggles.
At the very least, there’s (quite likely) going to be an add in the draft to beef up the competition.
Kevin O’Connell can’t be too transparent at this stage of the offseason. A perfect world involves flirting with the truth while still being a touch coy. Introducing some uncertainty into the mix helps to shroud Minnesota in some mystery even as it’s quite easy to see through the smokescreen.
Right now, the Vikings have Brandel competing with Michael Jurgens to snap the football. Look for someone to be added to compete at center before the end of the 3rd Round. That’s where things are moving.
The Vikings’ Head Coach & The Need for a New C1
Kevin O’Connell spent a decent amount of time chatting at the Annual League Meetings, as is his wont.
While sitting down with media, O’Connell offered an assessment of where Brandel is at in his journey toward mastering the center position: “Ultimately, we want to do what’s best for Blake to ascend and reach his highest potential at one position, or have the flexibility still to play multiple.” Not too long afterwards, there’s confirmation of the desire to “have him more than likely at that center spot.”
In college, Blake Brandel was an offensive tackle. He then became a backup offensive tackle in the NFL before shuffling inside to be a guard. Next was the center spot, a position he proved capable of playing to further fortify his value to his team. Not many players can be a five-in-one o-lineman. Bumping up Brandel to the staring center job means losing that five-in-one player. Not the death knell to his chances of securing the C1 spot, but a cost that’s worth considering.
Now shuffle over to what the Vikings’ head coach then had to say about the young prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kevin O’Connell looks at the landscape of young centers and sees many who could become strong NFL players.
“I do think that’s it’s a position,” O’Connell went on to clarify, “that’s got some really unique names in the draft.” Some thoughts get tossed in about the various different skills these prospects have before saying that Minnesota “wouldn’t hesitate to potentially add a guy, as well.”
Obviously, an NFL head coach can’t respond to an opening from within the starting lineup with a declarative, easy answer about the draft strategy. Seeing O’Connell say something like this would be quite odd: “Yeah, losing Ryan Kelly hurts. We don’t have a starter anymore. Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens are depth options, so we’re pretty locked into drafting a center.”
O’Connell, even with his reputation for talking, isn’t going to be so transparent. The point nevertheless remains obvious: a reasonably high-end center option is to be coveted in the Twin Cities.
Some of the urgency to acquire a well-travelled veteran has cooled off since Kyler Murray is likely to start. Accordingly, there doesn’t need to be the same emphasis on a center who can decode a defense on behalf of the starting quarterback. Opting for a young fella — such as Iowa’s Logan Jones — should be the expectation.
In theory, the draft could get wonky, meaning centers that were supposed to be available get chosen earlier than expected. Minnesota could be left standing at the altar without a center to marry. If that occurs, then the option exists to circle around to free agency after the 2026 NFL Draft concludes.
Pursuing a veteran within that time period means not risking the hard-earned compensatory pick that’s looking likelier to arrive in Minnesota. Free agent signings no longer see their deals count within the NFL’s comp pick calculations shortly after the draft concludes, leading to renewed free agent activity. That’s the backup plan if things go awry in the draft.
Until firm clarity arrives, note that Blake Brandel is pencilled in as the starting center. A hard worker with a strong understanding of the game, Brandel would be solid enough but likely not spectacular. Chasing upside makes sense.
