With Ryan Kelly now in place, the Vikings will be moving on from their previous starting center. If a trade partner cannot be found for Garrett Bradbury, he will released, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.
The Vikings were aggressive in pursuing additions on both sides of the line of scrimmage early in free agency. In addition to the Kelly deal, fellow former Colts O-lineman Will Fries received a Minnesota pact. The latter’s signing helped inform Thursday’s Ed Ingram trade. Once Bradbury is no longer in the fold, the Vikings will look noticeably different up front next season.
One year remains on Bradbury’s contract; he is owed a $4.9M base salary but none of that figure is guaranteed. A trade or release (presuming it does not carry a post-June 1 designation) would result in $3.62M in cap savings for the Vikings while generating a dead-money charge of $2.44M. Bradbury was set to carry a cap charge of just over $6M in 2025, but the Kelly deal (two years, $18M) will lead to a fresh start.
Selected in the first round in 2019, Bradbury started all 88 of his Vikings games. The North Carolina State product remained mostly durable during his tenure with the team, but his PFF evaluations left plenty to be desired. Bradbury ranked 11th among qualifying centers in 2022, but in each of his other campaigns he slotted in between 23rd and 29th at the position.
Kelly, along with Drew Dalman and Josh Myers, have already lined up new deals in the early portion of free agency. Few experienced centers are left on the market as a result, a factor which could help Bradbury find a new home in short order. It would come as a surprise if teams showed much interest in trading for the 29-year-old, but he could line up a deal as a free agent shortly after his (likely) release takes place.
After playing out his rookie contract, Bradbury inked a three-year, $15.75M deal. He will no doubt have to settle for lesser terms on his next pact, but it will be interesting to see where he lands for 2025.
