The Minnesota Vikings dedicated significant resources this offseason to upgrading their offense, with a major focus on strengthening the offensive line.
A key issue that contributed to Minnesota’s losses in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions and in the Super Wild Card matchup versus the Los Angeles Rams was poor pass protection for then-quarterback Sam Darnold. With Darnold no longer on the roster, the team is turning to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has yet to make his NFL regular-season debut. Ensuring McCarthy’s protection will be crucial in the 2025 season.
The Vikings received encouraging news on June 10 when standout left tackle Christian Darrisaw participated in individual drills during the team’s mandatory minicamp, according to Vikings.com. Darrisaw had been sidelined with a knee injury suffered in Week 8 against the Rams.
Craig Peters of Vikings.com noted that Darrisaw, the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was playing at a Pro Bowl level before the injury. Although the Vikings traded for Cam Robinson at last season’s deadline to fill in, Robinson has since signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent.
Despite playing in just seven games last season, Darrisaw was one of the top offensive tackles in the NFL when healthy. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked 11th among 140 qualifying tackles for the 2024 season. In July 2024, Darrisaw secured his long-term future in Minnesota by signing a four-year, $104 million extension, keeping him with the team through 2029. He’ll be 26 years old entering the upcoming season.
In addition to Darrisaw’s return, the Vikings made a series of high-profile moves in free agency to upgrade the interior of the offensive line.
Among the new arrivals is offensive guard Will Fries, who spent the early years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts. He signed a five-year, $88 million deal with Minnesota. Also joining the team from Indianapolis is veteran center Ryan Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler, who agreed to a two-year, $18 million contract.
The Vikings also addressed the offensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting guard Donovan Jackson from Ohio State with the 24th overall pick. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert predicted that Jackson is likely to start on the left side, potentially replacing 2024 starter Blake Brandel.
Seifert wrote on April 26 that it’s rare to see a team so singularly focused — and willing to invest heavily — in fixing a specific area of the roster as Minnesota has with its offensive line. Barring injury, Jackson is expected to earn a starting role during his rookie campaign.
Although Minnesota didn’t add any more linemen in the draft, the combination of Darrisaw’s return and new faces in the center and guard positions suggests the Vikings will field a revamped and much stronger offensive line unit in 2025.
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