Longtime Viking Got His Wake-Up Call
The Minnesota Vikings ended the Garrett Bradbury era in March, cutting the longtime center after six seasons.
Longtime Viking Got His Wake-Up Call
Bradbury didn’t remain unemployed for long, immediately signing with the New England Patriots, a club hungry for an experienced center to pair with quarterback Drake Maye.
And with the roster cut and new two-year contract a few weeks old, Bradbury opened up about his split with Minnesota, calling it a “wake-up call.”
Garrett Bradbury on His Wake-up Call
Via ProFootballTalk.com, Bradbury said this week, “That’s the business. You never want to feel comfortable, but that’s a wake-up call. That’s ‘all right, here we go, that’s how they feel and they move on.’ There’s no ill will. I’m not bitter towards the Vikings. It’s just a new opportunity for me.”
“I think when there’s a change, if you don’t take that opportunity, you’re not going to grow from it. So it’s more about, ‘All right, I get to re-invent myself, I get to re-prove myself. ‘ And the minute you think you have it figured out, you’re gone.”
While Bradbury often represented a somewhat weak link of the Vikings’ interior offensive line, many expected him to be back for the 2025 season because new quarterback J.J. McCarthy is in line to assume the QB1 job. Some banked on the benefit of continuity. But no such luck for Bradbury.
Bradbury added about his new chapter, “So new team, new chapter, new offense — what can I bring? And you have to bring it every day. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned — meeting room, practice, weight room. So not even a wake-up call but it’s just new. It’s exciting. It’s a fresh start. New opportunity.”
A Fresh Start in New England
Minnesota yanked Bradbury from Round 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft, a spot where a center is expected to blossom into a consistent Pro Bowl or All-Pro asset. That never really happened in Minnesota for Bradbury, though he excelled via run-blocking during his six seasons in purple.
In New England, pairing with new coach Mike Vrabel, Bradbury will help the aforementioned Maye take the next step. Maye, ironically, was heavily linked to the Vikings during last year’s draft process, but Minnesota chose McCarthy when the Patriots stood pat and picked Maye with the third overall pick.
Bradbury has never featured pristine pass protection in his tool kit, so Patriots coaches and fans will hope that a switch flips in Year No. 7.
Vikings’ OL without Bradbury
Meanwhile, Minnesota upgraded in free agency from the Bradbury experience.
The club signed free-agent center Ryan Kelly from the Indianapolis Colts, a four-time Pro Bowler and a man who does not struggle with the pass protection — not one bit.
Too, Kelly’s teammate from the Colts, Will Fries, joined his free-agent adventure, signing with the Vikings for five years and $88 million. Bradbury, Ed Ingram, and Dalton Risner departed this offseason, while Kelly, Fries, and perhaps a rookie guard to be named later this month came aboard.
Fans rejoiced at the moves as Minnesota finally “built the trenches” after years’ worth of requests.
Patriots’ OL Ranking
Pro Football Focus ranked the Patriots’ offensive line as the very worst in football last season.
In that regard, the only direction to go is up.
New England could use its fourth overall draft pick in two weeks on an offensive tackle like Will Campbell from LSU, although the Patriots have more roster needs than just left tackle.
Unfortunately, Bradbury joined one of the NFL’s stinkiest offensive lines and is now tasked with assisting in its fix.
A One-Year Audition, in Essence
Bradbury can be cut rather easily next offseason based on his contract’s structure. His deal has guaranteed money only in 2025. He’s basically in New England for a one-year trial.
NBC Sports Boston‘s Phil Perry said about the fit in New England last month: “I do question the scheme fit. He’s a lighter guy. He’s coming into this Josh McDaniels offense, which usually hits you over the head with force, and he’s played in a lot of wide zone offenses over the course of his time in Minnesota.”
Bradbury will turn 30 this summer.
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