BREAKING: Former Six-Year Vikings Starter Breaks Silence on His Release
One of the Minnesota Vikings’ most notable moves in free agency came at the cost of longtime starter Garrett Bradbury. A first-round pick in 2019, Bradbury had been the team’s starting center for six years before the Vikings signed Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly to a two-year, $18 million deal in March. The Vikings explored trading Bradbury but eventually released him, making him one of the last remaining draft picks from the Rick Spielman era. Bradbury later signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the New England Patriots and spoke publicly for the first time about his departure from Minnesota.
“That’s the business,” Bradbury remarked on April 10. “You never want to get too comfortable, but it’s a wake-up call. It shows you how they feel and how quickly they move on. I don’t hold any grudges against the Vikings; it’s just a new opportunity for me. When change happens, if you don’t embrace it, you won’t grow. So now it’s about reinventing myself, proving myself again. You can never get complacent, because the moment you think you’ve figured it out, you’re out. So it’s a fresh start with a new team and a new offense—what can I contribute? You need to bring your best every day, whether it’s in the meeting room, practice, or the weight room. It’s not just a wake-up call, it’s a new and exciting chapter.”
Bradbury entered the league with praise for his athleticism, thanks to his background as a former tight end. However, his smaller frame caused issues in pass protection, as he allowed a career-high 38 pressures last season, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Some argue that the offensive line’s success depends on the collective effort rather than an individual player, and Bradbury might have improved if he had stronger guard play around him. Following a season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Rams, in which the Vikings surrendered a playoff-record nine sacks, the team prioritized strengthening the interior offensive line during free agency. Minnesota signed former Colts guard Will Fries to a five-year, $88 million deal and may also target another guard in the April draft.