The deadline came and went without the Minnesota Vikings picking up center Garrett Bradbury’s fifth-year option, which was worth a little over $13 million in 2023.
It’s no surprise considering the change in regimes, along with the fact that Bradbury has underperformed since being taken with the No. 18 overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft.
According to the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson, the plan is still for Bradbury to start in 2022 with the possibility of him being re-signed once his contract comes due. The team doesn’t have a lot of competition behind him capable of slotting into center outside of Austin Schlottmann and undrafted rookie free agent Josh Sokol.
#Vikings at this point are counting on Garrett Bradbury as their starting center in 2022. They still could re-sign him after season. Only other listed center on roster is Austin Schlottmann They'll sign Sacred Heart's Josh Sokol as undrafted free agent but he's likely a camp body
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) May 2, 2022
That means Bradbury will basically be playing in a prove-it year, and after the season, he’ll have an opportunity to test the market as an unrestricted free agent.
He finished 2021 with the sixth-worst Pro Football Focus grade for a center in the NFL. There’s clearly hope for a turnaround season, but the Vikings are also prepared to move in another direction if the downward trend continues for the former NC State star.
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