Minnesota Vikings’ Explosive Lineup Shakeup: Bradbury, Ingram, and Brandel Among Potential Casualties in Cap Space Battle
As the NFL offseason approaches, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves facing a challenging cap space situation. With a tight budget and a roster full of talent, the team is faced with tough decisions about who to keep, restructure, or potentially part ways with. Among the key players who could be on the chopping block are center Garrett Bradbury, guard Ed Ingram, and tackle Blake Brandel. These players, while integral to the team’s offensive line, may not have a place on the 2025 roster if the Vikings are to make the necessary moves to remain competitive under the cap.
Cap Space Crunch: The Vikings’ Financial Situation
In the NFL, managing the salary cap is one of the most crucial aspects of roster-building. With teams allowed a fixed amount to spend on player salaries each season, the Vikings have been dealing with a situation where they’re far above the cap limit heading into the 2025 league year. This has forced Minnesota to look for ways to clear cap space while maintaining a competitive roster for the upcoming season.
The Vikings already have a number of high-profile players with large contracts, and the team’s front office must make difficult decisions regarding which players will stay and which will be let go or have their contracts restructured. Among the key positions affected by the cap situation is the offensive line, where Bradbury, Ingram, and Brandel may find themselves in the crosshairs as the team seeks to trim payroll.
Garrett Bradbury: The Starting Center Under Scrutiny
Garrett Bradbury, the starting center for the Vikings since being selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, is one of the players whose future in Minnesota is uncertain. Bradbury has been a solid, if not spectacular, presence on the Vikings’ offensive line. He struggled early in his career with consistency but showed improvement in 2023, especially in pass protection, after some adjustments to his technique and a shift in the coaching staff’s approach.
However, Bradbury’s contract and the Vikings’ financial needs could make him a prime candidate for release or a restructure. In 2025, Bradbury is set to earn a significant salary, and his cap hit could be a factor in Minnesota’s decision-making process. While he has shown enough growth to remain a valuable piece of the line, his salary may simply be too high for the Vikings to justify keeping him, especially when they can invest in a more cost-effective option at center.
If the Vikings decide to move on from Bradbury, they would likely look to either draft a replacement or sign a more affordable veteran to fill the void. A decision like this would certainly be a tough one, given Bradbury’s status as a former first-round pick and his recent improvements, but Minnesota’s cap situation might not allow them to keep him at his current price.
Ed Ingram: The Young Guard on the Bubble
Ed Ingram, drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, is another player who could find himself in jeopardy due to Minnesota’s cap issues. Ingram was expected to step in and contribute right away, and he did, starting 17 games for the Vikings in 2023. However, his performance has been inconsistent, with some struggles in pass protection and run blocking.
While Ingram showed flashes of potential as a young player, his struggles in key moments and the overall cap space constraints could prompt the Vikings to reevaluate his future with the team. Ingram’s contract isn’t as large as some of the other offensive linemen on the roster, but cutting or trading him could provide a small cap relief while potentially opening up an opportunity for a younger, more affordable guard to step into the lineup.
Ingram’s position as a relatively recent draft pick may give him some leeway, but if the Vikings can secure better value at his position, they may decide to part ways. The Vikings may also decide to keep him for another season, hoping his development will continue, but if Ingram’s inconsistency continues, his future with the team could be in jeopardy.
Blake Brandel: The Swing Tackle on the Edge
Blake Brandel is another potential casualty in the Vikings’ cap space battle. Brandel, primarily a swing tackle, has been a reliable backup for Minnesota in recent seasons. He has started in a few games, stepping in when injuries struck the starting lineup, but he has not developed into a starter or a standout player by any means. As the Vikings look to clear space on their roster, Brandel’s relatively modest salary makes him a prime candidate for release or trade.
Brandel’s versatility as a backup tackle has some value, but in a situation where every dollar counts, his lack of starting pedigree could make him expendable. The Vikings may decide to invest in younger, more cost-effective players or bring in new competition through free agency or the draft.
Given Brandel’s status as a backup and his limited role, the team could either choose to keep him on a restructured contract, move him to a lower salary, or part ways entirely in favor of younger, cheaper talent. His future in Minnesota could depend largely on how the team feels about his ability to contribute in a more significant role, should injuries occur.
How the Vikings Can Address the Cap Issues
The Vikings’ need to clear cap space won’t just affect these three players. In order to get under the salary cap, the Vikings will likely look at restructuring some of their high-paid veterans’ contracts, such as quarterback Kirk Cousins or defensive players like Eric Kendricks and Harrison Smith. These moves will allow the team to free up space while keeping their most important players intact.
Another option for the Vikings would be to look for potential trade partners for some of their higher-paid players. While Bradbury, Ingram, and Brandel may be part of these discussions, other players—such as Dalvin Cook or Adam Thielen—could be considered for trade if it results in significant cap relief.
In addition, the team could look to make savvy picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding low-cost rookies who can come in and contribute immediately. With a limited budget, the Vikings will need to make sure that any incoming talent offers immediate value at a fraction of the cost of established veterans.
The Big Picture: Minnesota’s Path Forward
While the Vikings’ cap space battle may lead to a tough decision regarding Bradbury, Ingram, and Brandel, these moves are ultimately part of the larger picture of building a team that can compete for a Super Bowl in the coming seasons. Minnesota has made significant progress in recent years, and they have a young, talented core in place with players like Justin Jefferson, Trevor Lawrence, and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah leading the way.
The team will need to make calculated decisions this offseason, ensuring that they free up the necessary cap space to improve the roster where it counts. This means focusing on areas like defensive upgrades, potentially finding a long-term solution at center, and building a more balanced, effective offensive line. The decisions made with Bradbury, Ingram, and Brandel could serve as important markers of the team’s long-term vision.
If the Vikings can navigate this difficult cap space challenge successfully, they could emerge even stronger in the 2025 season, with a roster that better balances financial flexibility and player performance. The moves made in the coming weeks will set the tone for the Vikings’ future success or failure in the competitive NFC North and beyond.