Blake Brandel, despite starting all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, has been identified by *Bleacher Report*’s Kristopher Knox as the team’s “best player who could still be cut.” This designation comes amid significant changes to the Vikings’ offensive line during the 2025 offseason.
Brandel, a sixth-round pick in 2020 out of Oregon State, has been a durable and steady presence for Minnesota, playing in 56 games over four seasons. His college pedigree—48 consecutive starts and second-team All-Pac-12 honors—translated into a reliable, if unspectacular, pro career. However, with the Vikings bringing in new talent and potentially reshuffling the line, Brandel’s \$9.5 million salary could make him expendable if younger, cheaper options step up during training camp.
This doesn’t guarantee he’ll be cut, but it does reflect the business side of the NFL, where performance, contract value, and future potential are constantly weighed.
Kristopher Knox highlighted the precarious status of Blake Brandel in his May 16 analysis, writing.
- “Guard Blake Brandel was a 17-game starter for Minnesota last season after spending his first year on the practice squad and three as a depth player. However, his time as a starter may already be over. The Vikings acquired Will Fries in free agency before drafting Donovan Jackson in Round 1. This likely pushes Brandel back into a depth role, and the Vikings could save \$1.6 million by releasing him.”
Despite Brandel’s full-time starting role in 2024, the additions of Fries and Jackson signal a possible shift in Minnesota’s plans for their interior line. With a modest cap savings of \$1.6 million at stake and a reshaped depth chart, Brandel now faces an uphill battle to keep his roster spot heading into training camp.
A Look Back at Brandel’s Time in Minnesota
Blake Brandel’s journey with the Minnesota Vikings is a classic example of perseverance and development. Early in his career, he bounced between the practice squad and active roster, finally making his NFL debut in 2021 with 13 appearances as a reserve and special teams contributor. His versatility was key a trait that helped him gradually carve out a larger role.
In 2022, Brandel started three games at left tackle in relief of Christian Darrisaw and held his own until an injury landed him on IR. The Vikings showed their appreciation for his reliability and positional flexibility by re-signing him in March 2024 to a three-year, \$9.5 million deal.
He rewarded that confidence by starting all 17 games at left guard in 2024, logging 1,117 snaps and allowing 7 sacks, 7 QB hits, and 27 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. In total, Brandel has now started 22 games for the Vikings and played multiple positions across the line — including 273 snaps at left tackle and 164 at right guard.
Still, Kristopher Knox’s assessment carries weight. The addition of Will Fries and first-round pick Donovan Jackson suggests a new direction for the Vikings’ offensive front. With cap savings of \$1.6 million on the line and younger, potentially more dynamic options available, Brandel could be pushed out of the rotation despite his past contributions and versatility.
Will Fries & Donovan Jackson Likely Starters at RG & LG for Vikings in 2025
This is a strong overview of the Vikings’ revamped offensive line strategy heading into the 2025 season. To make the piece even sharper, you might consider:
Expanding on the stakes: Briefly note how improved protection could directly impact J.J. McCarthy’s development and the offense’s overall efficiency.
Clarifying roster implications: The mention of potentially cutting Blake Brandel is intriguing — adding a sentence or two on his cap hit, positional flexibility, or how he’s performed when called upon could provide helpful context.
Adding a touch of forward-looking analysis: A quick mention of how Minnesota’s O-line now stacks up within the division or against top defensive fronts could give it more punch.
Let me know if you’d like help drafting a version with those enhancements.
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