Garrett Bradbury Vikings agree to terms on 3-year deal Sourc

Garrett Bradburywill be staying with theVikingsas the center agreed to a three-year contract with the team, a person close to the player who was not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to

Bradburys deal is worth up to $15.75 million, the person close to Bradbury confirmed.

The 27-year-old center has been a starter his entire time in the league after the Vikings drafted him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Bradbury missed nine games combined in the last two seasons because of injury.

QuarterbackKirk Cousinsalso restructured his contract to help the Vikings save $16 million, according to reports.

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Bradbury adores Minnesotas offensive line room, having developed relationships with elite tackles likeBrian ONeillandChristian Darrisaw. The 2019 first-round pick also improved each year, allowing fewer pressures per snap in 2022 than any other season in his career, per PFF. That improvement, however, still placed him 28th out of 32 centers in blocking efficiency, which explains the complexity of the decision to pay him or let him walk. Lewis

First, Bradbury has familiarity with head coach Kevin OConnells system and Cousins tendencies. Second, the Vikings needed a center, and, considering their salary cap constraints, they were not going to be able to break the bank to acquire one. Bradbury fits the bill in the sense that he always wanted to remain in purple. On locker room clean-out day, the center relayed his preference: He wanted to remain with an offensive line room that has grown close over the years. The Vikings made good on Bradburys preference. Lewis

For years, Bradburys play has been a source of polarity among Vikings fans. That he was a first-round pick in 2019 shapes a portion of the narrative. Bradbury, though, also struggled in his first few seasons at center. He was docked for four sacks in 2019, according to PFF, and five sacks in 2020. In the last couple of years, hes only been credited for four sacks combined. Bradbury also missed time this past season with a back injury. That said, he has applauded the teams new training staff, led by Tyler Williams, which also matters as part of this deal. The team was and is well aware of Bradburys limitations more aware than any other. That should help his development. Lewis

Earlier today, the Vikings restructured quarterback Kirk Cousins deal.

By 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, eachNFLteam must be compliant with the salary cap. Before the Cousins restructure, the Vikings remained in the red. By converting some of his roster bonus to a signing bonus, the team alleviated present cap concerns, pushing money into the future. Within the restructure, the Vikings also added two additional void years, which spreads out the future money in the event the team keeps Cousins. The restructure does not, however, indicate that Cousins will be the Vikings QB long-term. It might, though, increase the likelihood that the team is able to keep safetyHarrison Smithand running backDalvin Cook. Lewis

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