Vikings' Still Have One Glaring Unsolved Issue Heading Into Last Week of Preseason

Now that the Vikings have played their second game of the preseason, only one more exhibition contest remains before the start of the 2026 NFL regular season. By then, head coach Kevin O'Connell should have the team ready for action.

Most of the starters sat out Saturday's 3-13 loss to the Ravens, but there was still plenty to learn from Minnesota's second preseason game. Although fans' main focus over the weekend was watching the quarterback play, that became difficult to do.

Abysmal play from the offensive line forced Minnesota's backup quarterbacks to rush throws and feel pressure more often than not, making it even more obvious that depth and talent on the offensive line are a huge issue.

Offensive line is one of Vikings' biggest remaining concerns

Four of the starters on the Vikings' offensive line should be fine. Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Will Fries and Brian O'Neill are returning from last season and should be ready to go for Week 1 of the regular season.

However, starting center Blake Brandel is about to embark on his first season as the full-time starter at center. He did a decent job filling in last season when Ryan Kelly was sidelined due to concussions. Now that Kelly has retired from football, it is up to Brandel to step up to fill the role this season.

Blake Brandel jogging. — Blake Brandel is struggling to meet expectations, which is affecting the entire Vikings offensive line. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Sadly, Brandel has been inconsistent during training camp and practices. He has struggled in multiple practices where he failed to get the ball to the quarterback in shotgun formation, which is an error Minnesota can't afford during the regular season.

Depth concerns

Brandel is a question mark at the moment, but the depth behind him is even scarier.

Michael Jurgens struggled mightily against the Ravens and the Giants this preseason. He owns an uninspiring 50.4 overall grade on Pro Football Focus after allowing two pressures across 73 offensive snaps so far this preseason.

Clearly, is no safety net in case Brandel continues to struggle to get the ball to Kyler Murray.

Past Jurgens on the depth chart is rookie Gavin Gerhardt. Minnesota took Gerhardt in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but he hasn't made much of an impression at all during training camp or the preseason, which isn't a good thing.

Desperate times...

Minnesota is so desperate for help at center that they put guard Joe Huber in that role during training camp, when Brandel wasn't there to see how he would perform. That isn't a glowing endorsement for the backups at the position.

It wouldn't be surprising if the Vikings worked out a trade for a quality center before the start of the season. Sports Illustrated's Trevor Ripley floated the idea over the weekend that Minnesota should trade for offensive lineman Olu Oluwatimi, who's fallen out of favor in Seattle.

Oluwatimi has started 13 of his 36 career games at center for the Seahawks after winning the Rimington Trophy at Michigan, given to the best center in college football. Now, though, Jalen Sundell has a firm grasp on the starting role in Seattle, leaving Oluwatimi as potentially dispensable for the Super Bowl champs.
Trevor Ripley, Vikings On SI

The Vikings can also pick up a center who is released by another team when trimming down to the 53-man roster, as the deadline is approaching on Sunday at 5 p.m. CT.

The center plays such an important role in the NFL that the Vikings can't afford to gamble on someone they aren't completely comfortable with. Time is running out for Minnesota to solidify its offensive line this season, and there aren't many clear options at the moment.

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