After bolstering the offensive line early in the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly planning to release center Garrett Bradbury. Selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the North Carolina product never quite lived up to his elite draft capital but became a reliable starter throughout his six years in the league. Last year, he started all 17 games while helping Sam Darnold and company win 14 games and make a Wild Card appearance.
The Vikings plan to release OL Garrett Bradbury, their 2019 first-round pick.
— Dianna Russini (@diannarussini.bsky.social) March 13, 2025 at 4:25 PM
However, the Vikings decided they needed to upgrade the interior offensive line with Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy set to take over under center. The Vikings signed Ryan Kelly and made Garrett Bradbury expendable, and all signs point toward a quick release. While nobody will likely trade for him at his current $6 million cap hit, he should earn the opportunity to compete for a job with one of the following five teams.
Vikings To Release Garrett Bradbury – 5 Teams Could Sign Him
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New England Patriots
The New England Patriots just lost their longest-tenured player, as the team released David Andrews following an injury-plagued 2024. With the former undrafted free agent likely calling it a career due to injuries, New England now has another empty spot along the league’s worst offensive line. Fortunately, the Patriots still have plenty of cap space and should be able to sign Garrett Bradbury after the Vikings release him. While he may not be an All-Pro type of player, he’s a clear upgrade on last year’s primary starter, Ben Brown.
Los Angeles Chargers
Head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win games with physical play in the trenches, but he’ll have a difficult time doing that with his current offensive line. While Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater form a great tackle duo, the interior line needs some work. Bradley Bozeman wasn’t an active liability last year, but there is a lot of room for improvement. While the team re-signed the veteran, they should also add some outside competition to see who can best clear holes for new addition Najee Harris.
Atlanta Falcons
Drew Dalman is gone, which means someone needs to snap the ball to Michael Penix and clear rushing lanes for Bijan Robinson. If the season started today, that person would likely be Ryan Neuzil, an adequate backup with positional versatility, but nobody’s idea of a starter. Garrett Bradbury is no Drew Dalman, but the veteran could provide adequate protection at the heart of this offensive line while allowing Neuzil to remain as a do-everything backup.
Jacksonville Jaguars
First-year head coach Liam Coen has his work cut out for him. Following the disastrous 2024 season, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator must rebuild this team in his image while remaining competitive in the AFC South. Mitch Morse had a rough season last year, and with the veteran calling it a career, the Jaguars must find a starting-caliber option to protect Trevor Lawrence. Garrett Bradbury might not be the most exciting name out there, but he could be a smart signing once the Vikings officially release him.
Las Vegas Raiders
Pete Carroll is in the desert, which means the Raiders will try to win games with old-school football. Coaches like Carroll believe games are won and lost in the trenches, which means he’ll attempt to reinforce the offensive line with starting-caliber veterans like Garrett Bradbury. The NFL Draft does not have much talent at the center position, and the 73-year-old Carroll won’t want to waste his later year developing talent that might not pan out in the NFL.
Main Photo: Shaun Brooks – Imagn Images
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