MARCH 17: As expected, no trade partner was present in Bradbury’s case. In consequence, Pelissero and Rapoport report he has been released with a post-June 1 designation. This move will create $5.25MM in cap space (which can not be available until after that date) while generating a dead money charge of just $814K.
MARCH 13: With Ryan Kelly now in place, the Vikings can be moving on from their previous starting center. If a trade partner can’t be found for Garrett Bradbury, he’ll released, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.
The Vikings were aggressive in pursuing additions on each side of the road of scrimmage early in free agency. Along with the Kelly deal, fellow former Colts O-lineman Will Fries received a Minnesota pact. The latter’s signing helped inform today’s Ed Ingram trade. Once Bradbury is not any longer within the fold, the Vikings will look noticeably different up front next season.
One 12 months stays on Bradbury’s contract; he’s owed a $4.9MM base salary but none of that figure is guaranteed. A trade or release (presuming it doesn’t carry a post-June 1 designation) would end in $3.62MM in cap savings for the Vikings while generating a dead money charge of $2.44MM. Bradbury was set to hold a cap charge of just over $6MM in 2025, however the Kelly deal (two years, $18MM) will result in a fresh start.
Chosen in the primary round in 2019, Bradbury began all 88 of his Vikings games. The North Carolina State product remained mostly durable during his tenure with the team, but his PFF evaluations left plenty to be desired. Bradbury ranked eleventh amongst qualifying centers in 2022, but in each of his other campaigns he slotted in between twenty third and twenty ninth on the position.
Kelly, together with Drew Dalman and Josh Myers, have already lined up latest deals within the early portion of free agency. Few experienced centers are left available on the market consequently, an element which could help Bradbury discover a latest home in brief order. It will come as a surprise if teams showed much interest in trading for the 29-year-old, but he could line up a deal as a free agent shortly after his (likely) release takes place.
After playing out his rookie contract, Bradbury inked a three-year, $15.75MM deal. He’ll little doubt must accept lesser terms on his next pact, but it can be interesting to see where he lands for 2025.
