New Vikings O-Lineman Helped Sign His Former Teammate

The Minnesota Vikings have addressed a lot of their weaknesses this offseason, via NFL free agency, and they’ve done it rather efficient and successful fashion. Most notably, the offensive and defensive lines look like two completely different units than what they did in 2024. And that’s a good thing.

Just like on the d-line, the offensive line’s biggest problems were on the interior, especially guard. But instead of signing a guard, their first OL move of free agency was at center, 31-year-old long-time Indianapolis Colts mauler, Ryan Kelly, to replace Garrett Bradbury.

One former Colt helped Minnesota Vikings land another former Colt

The Vikings’ only other signing on the starting offensive line (so far) was at right guard, another former Colt — and one of the most sought after o-linemen on the market this offseason — 26-year-old former Penn State Nittany Lion , Will Fries.

Fries signed just one day after Kelly was brought on board, which wasn’t a coincidence. On Tuesday at the NFL Owners Meetings, Kevin O’Connell revealed to media that Ryan Kelly was the reason for Will Fries signing. It doesn’t appear that Minnesota was on the right guard’s radar, or vice versa, until Kelly signed, then connected the dots for them.

The Vikings never planned to add both center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries, according to O’Connell. Kelly became a possibility, then he helped the Vikings land Fries, who had countless suitors. Acquiring both players speaks to what the Vikings have built from a cultural standpoint to attract talent. Minnesota has become a destination for players seeking the best facilities and resources, even if that means opting against their previous team.

Alec Lewis – The Athletic

What do Ryan Kelly and Will Fries bring to Vikings?

Ryan Kelly was drafted 18th overall pick in 2016. He’s played 121 games across 9 seasons. Every single one of his 7,696 career snaps have been taken at the center position. Kelly was named a second-team All-Pro in 2020, and he’s made four Pro Bowls.

Last season, Kelly played just 10 games, thanks to a knee injury that required surgery. Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was confident on Tuesday that their new center will be available right away. Injuries are a bit of a concern for Ryan Kelly, who only once (2023) has played all 17 games of an NFL regular season.

As a rookie, Will Fries played tackle for the Colts. He moved to right guard for his sophomore NFL season, where he started nine of 16 games. In 2023, he started all 17 games all over the Indy OL. Then last season, Fries was back at right guard, until he broke his tibia in week five, ending his season.

Will Fries in pass protection is a treat pic.twitter.com/ZMLWjr5rG9

— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) March 11, 2025

For what feels like forever, the Minnesota Vikings have been weak at right guard. Since head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took over control of player-personnel decision-making in 2022, it’s been former 2nd round draft pick Ed Ingram and veteran Dalton Risner battling back and forth at that position.

Related: Interesting New Details in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s Contract with Vikings Revealed

Neither was a long-term solution, though. Ingram failed to develop into the type of pass-blocker needed to protect a QB in the MN Vikings pass-happy offensive scheme and Risner can’t run block to save his life. All of that should change with the edition of Ryan Kell and Will Fries. The fact that they already have years of rapport should only help the o-line get up to speed even faster, come training camp.