A Familiar Vikings Problem Will Need to Be Solved in 2026

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Dec 26, 2025
A Vikings helmet at Green Bay in 2025
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of an Minnesota Vikings helmet during the warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images. Ryan Kelly.

Over the years, the Minnesota Vikings have had a number of problems at the center position.

It’s been a long time since the Vikings have had consistent play at the position, and now, they might be starting from scratch again in 2026 after Ryan Kelly was placed on IR due to his third concussion of the season following last weekend’s win over the New York Giants.

A Familiar Vikings Problem May Resurface in 2026

Vikings Problem
J.J. McCarthy and Ryan Kelly move through warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium as Minnesota prepares for Houston, with the session unfolding on Aug. 9, 2025 during early preseason work in Minneapolis. The quarterback-center pairing rotates through stretching and snapping routines while coaches monitor timing and communication, offering a clear look at developing chemistry ahead of the team’s first exhibition game of the summer. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Kelly’s concussion problems have existed prior to his stint in Minnesota, but they have really ramped up since joining the Vikings this past spring.

Kelly signed a two-year contract with the Vikings in March, but he will finish the 2025 campaign with just eight starts because of this injury trend.

The first concussion was suffered in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons. He then sat out in Week 3 before returning in Week 4 only to suffer another concussion.

Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) warms up Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. © Robert Scheer / USA TODAY NETWORK.

That led to Kelly’s first IR stint of the year, and he missed seven games as a result of that second concussion in three weeks.

Many assumed he wouldn’t return to the field at all in 2025, but he was able to suit back up in Week 12. He managed to start five consecutive games. However, after playing 21 snaps in Week 16 against the Giants, he once again left the field with an injury.

It ended up being diagnosed as his third concussion of the season and sixth of his 10-year NFL career.

Jan 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (78) leaves the field after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-23 in overtime at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.

Inconsistency at the center position is nothing new for the Vikings seeing as they had Garrett Bradbury as a starter for six years prior to the signing of Kelly.

With Kelly’s concussion issues, it seems probable that the center will either retire at the end of the year to preserve his health, or the Vikings will decide to part ways with him and begin searching for another center in the offseason.

Editor’s Note: Information for this article was found via Pro Football Reference.

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By Josh Frey
Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To ... More about Josh Frey