Garrett

Bradbury

Bradbury is now considered questionable for Monday night’s tilt with the Giants. With the Patriots already down rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson, the team can ill-afford to lose a third starter along the line. The good news is that players listed with illnesses tend to play through those things more often than not. In the event he can’t go, however, Ben Brown would be next in line to fill his spot.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the contract contains $3.8 million in guarantees and can be worth “up to” $12 million. That’s not exactly guaranteed starter money for Bradbury, but the Patriots have quite a vacancy to fill after releasing David Andrews earlier this offseason. Cole Strange started two games at center for the Pats late last season and would appear to be the incumbent competition. We’d bet on Bradbury to win the battle, perhaps with Strange heading to left guard.

After failing to trade the veteran center, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the Vikings will release Bradbury and designate him as a post-June 1 release to spread out the cap hit. Bradbury was selected No. 18 overall by the Vikings in 2019 and has started all 88 games he’s appeared in during his career. After being bit by the injury bug in each of the previous three seasons, Bradbury suited up for all 17 games in 2024 and earned a PFF blocking grade of 62.1. Now free to sign with anybody, Bradbury shouldn’t struggle to find a new landing spot on a short-term deal this upcoming season.

As Pelissero notes, the Vikings “signed veteran Ryan Kelly to replace Bradbury, a first-round pick in 2019 who started 88 games in Minnesota.” Earlier today, FOX Sports’ Brock Huard reported that Sam Darnold “loved” playing with Bradbury during his 2024 run with the Vikings. Huard expects Bradbury’s likely trade cost to be a sixth- or seventh-round pick. Perhaps, this is the Vikings’ way of asking the Seahawks for at least some sort of mild compensation. Seattle certainly would figure to upgrade its interior blocking personnel before the 2025 season kicks off.

Bradbury has played every snap in all three games this year, though his performance has been questionable at best. Pro Football Focus has credited him with 10 pressures allowed on 95 pass-blocking reps. Still, continuity matters more at offensive line than any other position group. Losing Bradbury would still be an inconvenience for a red-hot Sam Darnold. His status will be monitored throughout the week.

Bradbury has missed all but a handful of snaps this season because of the back issue. He went down early in Week 1 and has been sidelined since. His return will help stymie a potent Kansas City pass-rush.

Bradbury was listed as questionable with a back issue. The injury has now cost him three games on top of sidelining him for most of Minnesota’s Week 1 matchup with the Bucs.

Bradbury has missed all but five snaps this year because of the back issue but looks like a decent bet to suit up in Week 4. Getting him back in the lineup would be a small win for an offense that has already looked good this year despite a few offensive line injuries.

The good news is that left tackle Christian Darrisaw is expected to start. Darrisaw was active for Week 2 but remained on the sidelines as an emergency backup. He was removed from the injury report on Friday and is ready to resume his spot on the line. Bradbury logged back-to-back limited practice this week, putting him in position to return in Week 4 if he can’t go versus the Chargers.

Bradbury was sidelined for the first day of practice this week, but logged limited sessions to close things out. The veteran center already missed Week 2 against the Eagles, with backup Austin Schlottmann taking his place. If Bradbury is unable to go in Week 3, we’d expect Schlottmann to once again fill his role against the Chargers.