Austin

Schlottmann

The deal includes $3.5 million in guarantees. The seven-year veteran has made 18 starts across 85 appearances for the Broncos, Vikings, and Giants, tying a career high with four starts in New York in 2025. It’s a low-risk, moderate-reward move for a franchise in desperate need of depth up front.

Schlottmann has been with the Vikings for the past two seasons and has made seven starts at center. He previously made a few starts at right guard for the Broncos. Schlottmann will likely fill a backup role for the Giants in 2024.

Schlottmann broke his leg in Week 17 and may be somewhat questionable for offseason activities. He’s played at least 200 snaps in three of his four seasons in the NFL, and projects as interior depth for the Vikings in 2023 behind Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, and Ezra Cleveland.

Schlottmann left the team’s Week 17 game against Green Bay with a serious leg injury that required a cart. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said after the game that Schlottmann broke his fibula and will miss the remainder of the season. It’s the latest injury setback for a once-solid Minnesota offensive line that collapsed against the Packers in Week 17.

The depth lineman started seven games in three years with the Broncos and will be the latest Vikings attempt to try to keep Minnesota’s interior line from being a place of sadness for Dalvin Cook. He’s carried a sub-30 PFF pass block grade in each of his last two seasons.

Schlottmann started seven games in three years with the Broncos, and was waived at last cuts in 2021. He’s carried a sub-30 PFF pass block grade in each of his last two seasons. He’ll be a potential depth piece for some team in free agency.

A 2018 UDFA, Schlottmann appeared in all 16 games each of the past two years, making six starts. The Broncos reportedly “hope” he can be stashed on the practice squad. That profile is the kind that might draw a gander or two on waivers, so it is not a given.