Wes Phillips Pounds the Table for Unlikely Viking
Wes Phillips, the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, took to the microphone on Tuesday to endorse offensive lineman Blake Brandel, discussing various topics.
Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips wasn’t shy this week about hyping one of his unforeseen contributors, signaling a larger role.
Brandel recently played center for Minnesota in Week 5 after injuries upset everything, and the clues suggest he might just stay at the spot.
Wes Phillips Is All Smiles on Blake Brandel
Brandel could be Minnesota’s starting center for the foreseeable future.
Blake Brandel Might Be Best at Center of all His Experiments
Phillips spoke to the media on Tuesday and said about Brandel, “The way Blake handled this game, I think we might be looking at a situation where this could be his best position of all five across the line. And getting Jurgens back into practice is just a plus for us. And we’ll see where all those guys are at throughout the week as we assess.”
“Going back to years past, Blake hasn’t played a lot of center, but they’re always working those guys because of these situations, the interior backups particularly, have to at least be swing guards. Having some center flex centers that are only centers, kind of limit you with your roster. Generally, they have to at least function at guard. So those guys get worked in throughout the offseason.”
Quite the endorsement.
So … the Vikings’ New Center Then?
If Brandel doesn’t start this weekend, fans wouldn’t riot, but let’s face it: Phillips’ comments seem like the path to nominating a starter, at least for another week.
The offensive boss also remarked about Brandel, “Blake’s been taking snaps for a long time now, whether it’s just quarterback/center exchange, whether he gets some scout team reps, those things get mixed in. A lot of times, guys don’t even notice, and they’re getting mixed in at different positions, and it’s for these types of situations.”
“Blake’s had some of that training over time, and he’s had practice with the snaps. We felt good about that, but he’s at least been trained over the years to be ready for this opportunity when it came, and he really stepped up. The communication was what, I think, everyone was really. Press with throughout the week, and then obviously the play in the game.”
No Ryan Kelly for at Least 3 Weeks
The team’s primary center, Ryan Kelly, was placed on injured reserve 11 days ago, meaning he’ll miss the next three games at minimum. Kelly has suffered five documented concussions in his career, with two coming in three weeks as a member of the Vikings.
In fact, no one is too sure if Kelly will return to the sport at all. He could retire tomorrow, and nobody would be too shocked.
Therefore, when Phillips talks about Vikings centers, Brandel’s emergence could have long-term implications.
Michael Jurgens Returning to Health
Meanwhile, the original backup to Kelly, second-year center Michael Jurgens, returned to practice this week. He hurt his hamstring in Dublin — yes, injuries are a thing for the 2025 Vikings — during a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But Jurgens is young, and the injury must’ve been minor because he is back in the mix at practice.
For those who get deep into the weeds of purple offensive line dealings, the stage is set for a “Brandel or Jurgens” dialogue this week, with Phillips perhaps tipping the scale in Brandel’s favor with the latest comments.
More Brandel Takes
Our Ted Schwerzler opined on Brandel this week, “Brandel drew the start, his second of the season, and played all 65 offensive snaps at center in London. He had never previously played the position at any level, but it’s clear that the Vikings liked what they saw.”
“It remains to be seen how Minnesota will use Brandel with Jurgens expected to be back this week. He could go back into a backup role, or he could push the second-year player for starting reps. The Vikings drafted Brandel as a tackle, and he has been used in that capacity behind both Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill.”
It’s also worth noting that Brandel performed decently at center in London. He did not utterly dominate.
“Last year he started all 17 games for Minnesota at left guard. With Will Fries signed and Donovan Jackson drafted, Brandel moved back to a depth role. Although Brandel has never established himself as a high-level starter, he has consistently been a quality backup that can play multiple positions,” Schwerzler added.
“If the Minnesota Vikings believe center is his best position after such limited time there, he may have pushed his utility even further. The Vikings are set to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday as they return to U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time in four weeks.”
Minnesota drafted Brandel in 2020, and he’s proving to be one of the franchise’s most versatile picks ever.
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