The Minnesota Vikings enter the 2024 season with a precarious situation at quarterback. They’re either going to be playing with a quarterback who came into the league with a ton of promise but has had some very well-publicized struggles — including claiming to “see ghosts” — or they’re going to forge ahead with a rookie. Either way, protecting the quarterback will be of paramount importance.
Minnesota locked up their left tackle for the long term earlier this offseason, and they have their right tackle in tow, too. However, the situation is less settled on the offensive line’s interior, particularly at guard. Right now, the situation appears to be three players — Dalton Risner, Blake Brandel, and Ed Ingram — battling it out for two spots.
As that battle heats up, the Vikings are searching for the best combination of players to protect their quarterback(s), and that has led to Risner trying out a position he never has before: right guard.
Three things that stood out at Day 1 of Vikings camp:
1 – Dalton Risner playing RG with the twos. It feels like a three-way battle between Risner, Brandel and Ingram for two spots.
2 – Sam Darnold was throwing darts and bombs today.
3 – Mekhi Blackmon hurt his leg and was…
— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) July 24, 2024
Risner was the starting left guard for much of last season for the Vikings and hoped to see a big contract in free agency to be the team’s permanent starting left tackle. That deal never materialized, and Risner eventually found his way back to the Vikings. Now, he finds himself embroiled in a heated position battle and taking on tasks he’s never faced before.
How well and how quickly Risner can adapt may go a long way towards determining just how successful either Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy will be this season. If he can hold up well, either quarterback should be well-protected. If not, the Vikings will be left to depend on Brandel and Ingram to keep the quarterbacks upright—a scary proposition for some readers to be sure.