The Minnesota Vikings offensive line needed a lot of fixing after an up-and-down 2024 season.
In 2024, the Vikings allowed 49 sacks, which tied them for ninth in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They struggled with penalties, as the starting left guard, Blake Brandel, accumulated some of the most false-start penalties in the NFL with six.
This led to swift changes with the interior offensive line in the offseason, with Ryan Kelly and Will Fries being signed as the new starting center and right guard. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Vikings got their new starting left guard in first-round pick Donovan Jackson.
Some continuity is also essential for the offensive line, as they will have new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy's blind side and edges covered. Returning to the team in 2025 are starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw and starting right tackle Brian O'Neill.
Were the changes on the line enough to generate improvement from year to year?
How is the offensive line for the Minnesota Vikings viewed going into the 2025 season?
PFF's Andrew Ites recently shared his list of the five offensive lines in the NFL that have shown the most improvement. Minnesota was on there thanks to the focus on the interior of the offensive line.
"Minnesota's revamped [interior] offensive line, along with the return of Christian Darrisaw, will look to provide a clean pocket for J.J. McCarthy to distribute the football to an impressive set of weapons in 2025."
Minnesota's aggressive approach to the offensive line with spending was necessary, with all the issues with the interior offensive line last year. The saving grace in 2024 was their tackles, who held it all together as best as they could.
In his nine-year career, Kelly has been a four-time Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro. Fries has a working relationship with Kelly, which will be important as the offensive line looks to build a rhythm together.
Having the line situated with a young quarterback taking over was more imperative than ever. McCarthy needs the protection that Sam Darnold didn't have late last year to succeed.
After the interior of the line was considered to be below average a season ago, the Vikings appear to have done enough work to get themselves in a position to improve in 2025.