Vikings face decisions with Bradbury, Risner on interior O-line

It wouldn't be a Vikings offseason if there weren't questions to be addressed about the entire of the offensive line. It's no longer the nightmare it was a few years ago, but there's still some uncertainty about whether or not Minnesota will run it back with the same group in 2024.

At center, Garrett Bradbury was brought back last year on a three-year deal. He continued to be roughly the same player (PFF thought he took a slight step back from his 2022 campaign), which is a good run blocker and communicator who tends to struggle in pass protection at times. 

On March 16th, Bradbury's $4.65 million base salary for this year will become fully guaranteed, so the Vikings have a decision to make before then. They could release him, though that would only come with $2.5 million in cap savings and $3.25 million in dead money, unless it were designated as post-June 1. They'd also need a new center in that case, so the safe assumption is that Bradbury will be back for a sixth season with the Vikings.

The more interesting position is left guard. The Vikings signed Dalton Risner to a one-year deal last September, which made them comfortable trading pending free agent Ezra Cleveland to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick at the deadline. (Cleveland, by the way, just signed a new three-year deal with Jacksonville for up to $28.5 million on Thursday, though only half of that is guaranteed).

Risner is now a free agent again. He became a fan favorite due to his hustle plays and thoughtful quotes, but he was merely OK on the field. He's an above-average pass protector and a below-average run blocker who had the lowest PFF grades of his career in 2023, which is understandable given the change of scenery and his late arrival in Minnesota. The Vikings may have interest in bringing Risner back, but it'll depend on what his market looks like. If he leaves, they'll need a new starter.

At right guard, Ed Ingram took a big leap from horrific to competent in pass protection in his second season. The Vikings are hoping he can take another step forward to "good" in year three, and it's unlikely that he'll be challenged too hard for his job.

Depth-wise, Blake Brandel is a restricted free agent who figures to be brought back. Austin Schlottmann and Chris Reed are unrestricted free agents.

The big domino, barring a surprising Bradbury release, will be what happens to Risner at LG. If he's gone, the Vikings could dip into free agency or use a draft pick — probably on Day 3, but maybe as high as the second round — to replace him.