Vikings Just Got an Unexpected Lifeline for the Offensive Line
Last week, Vikings center Ryan Kelly announced his retirement. The four-time Pro Bowler made the expected decision, given his concussion problems over the years. Minnesota now faces a major void at center — a position critical to the offense regardless of who starts at quarterback.
On Monday, all the top center options signed elsewhere. Tyler Linderbaum is headed to Las Vegas after signing a monster contract and Cade Mays will face the Vikings twice as a member of the Detroit Lions.
Suddenly, the market isn’t looking too good. But a new candidate entered the conversation when the rivals from Green Bay released their center, Elgton Jenkins.
Rob Demovsky of ESPN wrote, “The Packers announced Monday they have released Jenkins, a move that will net the Packers more than $19.5 million in additional salary cap space for this season. Jenkins, 30, had one year remaining on a four-year, $68 million extension that at the time made him one of the highest-paid guards in the NFL. He made the Pro Bowl as a left guard twice (2020, 2022).”
Jenkins offers remarkable versatility for an elite player. Often, backups like Minnesota’s Blake Brandel can play several positions, but top players generally stay at their spot. Jenkins doesn’t, having already played all five offensive line spots throughout his career. Wherever the Packers needed him to play, he performed effectively.
The contract feud between the Packers and Jenkins started last offseason. Demovsky explained, “A year ago, when the Packers signed guard Aaron Banks in free agency, they asked Jenkins to move to center. Jenkins skipped most of the offseason program in part because he wanted the Packers to adjust his contract to ensure he had more guaranteed money to offset potential earnings losses that might come by changing to a less lucrative position. But the Packers refused to alter his deal.”
Jenkins spent the season at center until he suffered a season-ending ankle fracture in Green Bay’s ninth game of the year. In his seven-year career, the 2019 2nd-rounder had played in 96 career games.
The two-time Pro Bowler has nearly 1,000 tackle snaps under his NFL belt, but most of his career took place at left guard, where he logged over 4,551 reps. At center, where he would play in Minnesota, he has played 906 snaps.
Another option for Minnesota is the draft, but finding a Day 1 starter is easier said than done, especially in a class without a premier center prospect.
The Vikings could also turn to last year’s alternates, Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens. Brandel has played all five positions and shown he can handle center duties in 2025, though not at Kelly’s level. If he’s moved there, the squad would also lose its key backup.
Jurgens was selected in the 7th round of the 2024 draft. After redshirting his rookie season, he played 309 offensive snaps in 2025. Unlike Brandel, he is an experienced center and is more advanced in the snapping department.
Jenkins won’t be cheap and with guards getting paid more than centers, someone with an opening at guard might be willing to outbid the Vikings. Still, as he’s undoubtedly the best center option on the market, the Vikings should explore the possibility.
Solidifying the offensive line is crucial for either J.J. McCarthy or another quarterback. Kyler Murray, who has frequently been linked to the Vikings, has also shown that a good offensive line is his best friend.
Jenkins, 30, is certainly an intriguing option for the Vikings. His availability gives Minnesota a rare chance to replace a retired veteran with an experienced, scheme-versatile lineman. Whether the Vikings pursue him aggressively may reveal how confident they are in their internal options.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.