The Vikings’ O-Line Battle Appears to Shrink Down to a Pair of Combatants
The Vikings’ o-line is experiencing some rare continuity.
Both of LT1 Christian Darrisaw and RT1 Brian O’Neill appear healthy moving into 2026 training camp. Kicking inside means seeing the sophomore season for LG1 Donovan Jackson and the second season as a Viking for RG1 Will Fries, both of whom will be looking to take a step forward after solid rather than sizzling seasons. What remains to be seen is who will take over for Ryan Kelly as the C1.
The leader in the clubhouse is Blake Brandel, the five-in-one player who consistently earns praise from the coaching staff. He’s going toe-to-toe with Michael Jurgens, the late-round lineman from the 2024 NFL Draft.
Vikings o-line coach Keith Carter appeared to spill the beans while chatting with Tatum Everett of The Vikings Entertainment Network. Coach Carter largely discussed the competition as being one that consists of just Brandel and Jurgens. Not a major surprise, Carter’s reflections nevertheless establish some parameters for a position battle going into training camp.
The Vikings’ O-Line Sees the Center Battle Shrink to a Pair
Many speculated about opting for a center solution in the 2026 NFL Draft. What occurred instead was a move for Gavin Gerhardt in the 7th, a decision that was about enhanced depth rather than acquiring a Week 1 starter.
Quite possibly, the Bears threw a wrench into the Vikings’ plans.
Many believed that the undersized and athletic Logan Jones could get chosen by Minnesota. The theory had plenty of merit given the typical profile of centers who intrigue the Vikings’ front office. The great issue was that Chicago opted for Mr. Jones at No. 57, well ahead of what many prophets and prognosticators believed.
So, Minnesota has pivoted. Coach Carter thinks that the competition is coming down to a pair of players.
“Again, we’re fortunate,” Carter responded to a question about what’s taking place at center, “we have Blake [Brandel] who has played and started I think now every position up front, which in this league is unheard of.” Not long afterwards, Carter says “and then you’ve got Jurgens who is getting better and better.”
Carter then said the competition between these two is making the Vikings better: “To have those two guys competing, I think we’re lucky.”
In full fairness, Keith Carter does bring Gavin Gerhardt into the mix shortly thereafter. Still, though, there’s the reality of his answer: beginning the discussion with Blake Brandel alongside Michael Jurgens. He then pauses to reflect on those two players to comment on how that impacts the team more broadly.
Since 2022, Chris Kuper (now with the Eagles) has been leading the front five for Kevin O’Connell. The crew took steps forward under Coach Kuper’s tutelage but never became elite.
O’Connell therefore made a change. The in-house talent is formidable. Both of Jackson and Darrisaw are homegrown 1st-Round selections. O’Neill is a homegrown talent who went in the 2nd. Fries got snagged in free agency for a monstrous deal. Being just pretty good isn’t good enough. These lads need to become a collective juggernaut capable of winning the line of scrimmage on a weekly basis.
Keith Carter’s task is get these guys up to their potential. Seeing them remain healthy will obviously be of great importance and beyond the full control of a position coach. But then there’s going to be Carter’s ability to grow these guys. Picking the absolute best center — either Blake Brandel or Michael Jurgens — while then refining that person’s ability will be a key part of the mix.
Vikings training camp begins in less than two weeks. Every so often, take your eyes off the quarterbacks so you can consider who is snapping the football.
