The Vikings are planning to make 2022 a contract year for Garrett Bradbury. They are expected to decline the fifth-year option on their center’s deal, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson.
Because all offensive linemen are grouped together under the franchise tag system, the foundation for the fifth-year option setup, centers and guards see their option salaries spike because of tackles’ higher wages. Despite having not made a Pro Bowl in three seasons, Bradbury would be eligible for a $13.2MM 2023 salary.
It is not surprising to see the Vikings punt on that payment, though this should not necessarily be viewed as the team shutting down the prospect of a long-term future with the 2019 first-round pick. A Day 1 starter for the Vikings, Bradbury has lined up with the team’s first-string offensive line 45 times. Grading Minnesota’s O-line 23rd last season, Pro Football Focus assigned Bradbury the second-worst grade on that unit. His 2019 or ’20 grades did not place him near the top of the center position, either, certainly raising the stakes for his upcoming contract campaign.
Minnesota has just one high-end veteran contract (right tackle Brian O’Neill‘s) on its O-line, and this Bradbury decision will allow the Vikings to continue keeping costs low up front for the time being. The team has left tackle Christian Darrisaw and left guard Ezra Cleveland signed to rookie deals. If the Vikings are iffy on Bradbury’s long-term future, the upcoming draft becomes an avenue to address the spot.
This is a no brainer on the Vikings part. Dude gets pushed around all the time. Weakest part of the Vikings line is straight up the middle and everyone knows this.
He’s another Pat Elflein…swivel head
Easiest decision the new GM has had to make and possibly the easiest he EVER will make for the Vikings. Baldkid is 1000% correct in the fact that Bradbury gets manhandled on a weekly basis. Not big/strong enough to stand up to hardly any DT’s in the NFL. Worst lineman on a horrible line. He will never EVER see north of $5 million much less a possible $13 million dollar salary. He’s gonna be a vet min. guy after this contract ends.