Vikings Consider Moves to Bolster Offensive Line

Mitchel Massman |

Mar 18, 2022

When Kevin O’Connell took the Vikings Head Coach job, he said he wanted to build around Cousins. His planning includes protecting Kirk and building around his strengths. This means bolstering the offensive line. Kirk is at his very best when he has a clean pocket.

Building the offensive line, outside of cornerback, is the most important thing for KAM to do this offseason. If the Vikings wish to build a contender and build around Cousins’ strengths, the offensive line needs to be a priority. Cousins is PFF’s number 1 ranked quarterback and has a 116.7 quarterback rating when throwing from a clean pocket.

So far, the Vikings have only signed one offensive lineman, Austin Schlottmann. Schlottmann was signed to a one-year $1.04 million contract. This indicates the Vikings expect him to be a depth guy at best and not make the final 53 at worst.

However, in recent days a couple of names have been linked to the Vikings. Both Ryan Bates, a restricted free agent from Buffalo, and JC Tretter, who was recently cut from the Browns. Although, just being linked to a discussion does not mean anything will come to fruition.

Odds of Landing Bates

Ryan Bates recently visited Minnesota. This is a good sign that he will get an offer. However, as a restricted free agent, the Bills can match any offer Bates receives. There are other teams interested as well, including the Patriots, as Evan Lazar noted:

Bates also recently visited with the #Vikings. So he has suitors. But he'd be a plug-and-play starter for the #Patriots at left guard if they can get a deal done. Solid Ted Karras replacement. https://t.co/kxGpX5N5Hf
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 18, 2022

If the Vikings did happen to land Bates, what would he bring to the team? Bates was a backup guard for the Bills over the last couple of years. Last year, due to an injury, he started the last three games of the regular season and both playoff games.

He posted a PFF grade of 64.3 during this time frame. While this is not the best PFF grade, the upside is he allowed ZERO sacks and one penalty during this time frame. That’s a whole lot better than Udoh played last year.

At best, Bates could be a plug-and-play starter. At worst, he creates competition for Wyatt Davis, Ezra Cleveland, and any other offensive lineman the Vikings sign.

Vikings Could Score Big With Tretter

The big news is that the Vikings are in contact with JC Tretter’s agent. Bringing in a guy like Tretter is an instant upgrade at Center, which the Vikings need. Fans have witnessed Bradbury getting obliterated and walking into Cousins’ lap many times.

Correction of our error in the tweet about JC Tretter – the Vikings have talked to his AGENT not JC directly, to gauge interest. That is an error on me on how I phrased it
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) March 18, 2022

JC Tretter is the exact opposite. He is one of the best pass-blocking centers in the league and has done so for four years. Tretter’s PFF pass-blocking grades should be music to the ears of Vikings fans:

2018 – 85.7 (3rd)
2019 – 85.5 (2nd)
2020 – 84.0 (2nd)
2021 – 83.7 (2nd)

Just because the Vikings have called Tretter’s agent doesn’t mean anything. However, the idea of the Vikings pursuing him is exactly what they need to do to build around Cousins. Hopefully, they can find the money to make this happen.

Any improvement to the offensive line that ranked 23rd in the NFL in the 2021 season is a welcomed change.

Vikings Territory Also Read: Jalen Hurts Did Something to Vikings That’s Never Happened Before