Vikings may give 49ers path to fixing huge problem on offense
Vikings may give 49ers path to fixing huge problem on offense
Last season a major problem emerged on the San Francisco 49ers offensive line, and the Minnesota Vikings may be able to help them fix it.
Center Jake Brendel regressed for the second consecutive year last year after playing well enough in 2022 to get a long-term contract from the 49ers in free agency. He struggled enough in 2023 and 2024 to make the center position one San Francisco should look to upgrade this offseason.
One of those upgrades could come via the Vikings. They're planning to release center Garrett Bradbury if they're unable to find a trade partner according to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero.
Players like former Atlanta Falcons C Drew Dalman and former Indianapolis Colts C Ryan Kelly could have provided upgrades at a relatively steep price, and the 49ers don't appear interested in shelling out big money in free agency. That's where Bradbury makes sense if he hits the free agent market.
Bradbury, a 2019 first-round pick of the Vikings, has had an up-and-down career that culminated in a career-high 38 pressures allowed last season with a career-worst 96.9 percent pass blocking efficiency per Pro Football Focus. He wasn't great in 2022 nor 2023, but he was at least serviceable as a pass protector, and he's consistently been a strong run blocker.
It wouldn't be a major upgrade, but Bradbury is a former first-round pick who is three years younger than Brendel. With the top free agent centers off the board, Bradbury would be a worthwhile swing if San Francisco doesn't want to risk starting a center in the middle of its offensive line.
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