Minnesota Vikings in for Longer-Term Change at Center

The only thing consistent for the Minnesota Vikings this season has been their inconsistent level of health on the offensive line. After heavily investing in the group this offseason, virtually everything that can go wrong from a health standpoint, has.

Now, the Vikings are staring down a Week 7 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. It will be Minnesota’s sixth game of the season, and they still have yet to roll out the five original OL starters.

Unfortunately, that will not change any time soon, as we wait at least another three games for starting center Ryan Kelly to return from the injured list. It’s not all bad news, however, because the MN Vikings front five is getting healthier, out of the bye.

Blake Brandel may have found a new position on MN Vikings OL

In London two weeks ago, against the Cleveland Browns, both Kelly and his backup Michael Jurgens were on the shelf. That forced Blake Brandel — who hadn’t snapped a football in a game since grade school — to take over center duties.

How did it go… well, it depends on who you ask. But where it matters most, inside Minnesota Vikings facilities, he’s impressed enough to make coaches think twice before replacing him with Jurgens, even though he is now healthy.

Could Blake Brandel find a home at center after spending his NFL career at guard and tackle? Notable that Vikings OC Wes Phillips said: "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."

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 14, 2025

Brandel played all 65 offensive snaps against the Browns. It remains to be seen how Minnesota will use Brandel with Jurgens expected to be back this week, but clearly he’s made that decision very difficult, especially if Brian O’Neill and Donovan Jackson both return from their injuries.

The Vikings drafted Brandel as a tackle, and he has been used in that capacity behind both Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. 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. 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.