{"id":836686,"date":"2025-03-25T14:13:05","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T19:13:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/25\/vikings-miss-out-on-one-ol-fix\/"},"modified":"2025-03-25T14:13:05","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T19:13:05","slug":"vikings-miss-out-on-one-ol-fix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/25\/vikings-miss-out-on-one-ol-fix\/","title":{"rendered":"Vikings Miss Out on One OL Fix"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Dec 24, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman (67) prepares to snap the ball during the first half G at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/USATSI_19677726.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=785,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/USATSI_19677726.jpg”>

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Drew Dalman will not be a Minnesota Viking. <\/p>\n

Vikings Miss Out on One OL Fix<\/h4>\n

Dalman joined the Chicago Bears on Monday, the start of the NFL\u2019s legal tampering period. <\/p>\n

\n
Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman (67) following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Drew-Dalman.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=621,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Drew-Dalman.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Drew-Dalman.jpg” alt>

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The <\/em>Athletic<\/em>\u2018s<\/span> Dianna Russini posted<\/a> on BlueSky,<\/em> \u201cThe Bears are signing C Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million deal with $28 million guaranteed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vikings center Garrett Bradbury could\u2019ve become a salary cap casualty if the Vikings were serious about upgrading the offensive line\u2019s interior, but with Dalman off the board, Bradbury may be back for Year No. 7.<\/p>\n

Dalman was the single best center available in free agency \u2014 by a mile \u2014 accounting for a 78.8\u00a0PFF\u00a0<\/em>grade last season. And he\u2019s not like Bradbury, who specializes in run blocking while struggling with pass protection. Dalman does both.<\/p>\n

Several teams pursued Dalman. He earned near top free-agent placement on Vikings fans\u2019 lists because it would be pretty fantastic to start the J.J. McCarthy era at quarterback with one of the league\u2019s best centers. Allowing Bradbury or a rookie to handle the assignment doesn\u2019t feel smart. But it might be Bradbury after all. <\/p>\n

\n
Jan 22, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions during a introductory press conference at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Ben-Johnson.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=672,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Ben-Johnson.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Ben-Johnson.jpg” alt >

David Banks-Imagn Images.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Eventually, the Vikings should conclude the era of facing an imposing defensive tackle (Dexter Lawrence or Kenny Clark, for example) and just knowing that Bradbury would be pummeled. Dalman would\u2019ve been an answer. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the Bears\u2019 revamped offensive line, with free agency just minutes old:<\/p>\n