Minnesota Vikings fans are finally getting what they hoped for, and yes, he can play guard.
On Tuesday, March 11, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Vikings secured a massive five-year, $88 million deal with Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries. Fries joins former Colts center Ryan Kelly in what the Vikings hope will be a revamp of their interior offensive line.
A former seventh-round pick in 2021, Fries didn’t stand out with flashy physical traits coming out of college but has since earned a starting role in Indianapolis. He’s shown Pro Bowl potential with his fundamentally sound play, which should greatly benefit the Vikings’ offensive line.
ESPN ranked him as the No. 12 free agent overall this year and the top-ranked guard after the Kansas City Chiefs franchise-tagged Trey Smith.
“Before a right tibia injury cut his season short in Week 5, Fries posted career highs in pass block win rate (92.4%) and run block win rate (74.3%). While he may lack elite traits, his tape shows that he can improve the interior of an offensive line,” ESPN’s rankings noted. “He has solid fundamentals, the mobility to handle power rushers, and the ability to sustain blocks upon contact.”
Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler, signed a two-year, $18 million deal on March 10.
There was some initial shock at Fries’ contract, given the explosive growth of the guard market this year. Defensive tackles are becoming increasingly dominant, and teams need linemen capable of holding their own against tough defensive fronts.
The signing of Fries may not be a “Moneyball” win for Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, but it’s a worthwhile investment that addresses a long-standing issue for the franchise.
Since 2016, the Vikings have used 20 different guards over nine seasons. Fries, along with whoever plays left guard, will add to that total, but if all goes well, Minnesota won’t need to experiment at the position for years to come.
At just 26 years old, Fries’ contract aligns with that of Christian Darrisaw, and the Vikings now have four players capable of Pro Bowl-caliber seasons: Brian O’Neill, Darrisaw, Kelly, and Fries.
What About Left Guard?
The arrival of Kelly suggests Garrett Bradbury may no longer be the Vikings’ starting center. Bradbury, who is in the final year of his contract with a $6 million cap hit, could be traded, but it likely wouldn’t bring much in return.
Instead, there could be an open competition at left guard between Blake Brandel, Ed Ingram, and Bradbury. Brandel played decently for much of the 2024 season after signing a three-year, $9.5 million deal, though his performance declined toward the end.
The Vikings may not be done and could add a veteran guard on a one-year contract. Pro Bowler Brandon Scherff from the Detroit Lions could be a good fit.
The draft is another option, though targeting top guard prospects like Alabama’s Tyler Booker in the first round might not be the best move.
Overall, the Vikings often faced multiple questions on the offensive line in past seasons due to a lack of investment in the interior. Now, they can focus on solidifying left guard to complete the offensive line for J.J. McCarthy.
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