Garrett Bradbury was selected 18th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings as a Day 1 starter at their center position. He went on to start in every game that he was available, making 88 in six years to solidify himself as an essential player along the offensive line.
After having quite a decline in production, Bradbury was released by Minnesota, who was unable to find a trade partner, making him a free agent while New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is trying to create a solid foundation along his offensive line with the goal of protecting second-year quarterback Drake Maye being his top priority.
In 2024, Bradbury scored a 62.1 overall grade on Pro Football Focus’ grading system, which ranked him 33rd out of 64 centers. Here’s a further breakdown of how he scored:
- 48.2 pass-blocking (55th out of 64 centers)
- 70.7 run-blocking (14th out of 64 centers)
- 6 penalties (51st out of 64 centers)
- 4 sacks allowed (58th out of 64 centers)
- 6 hits allowed (61st out of 64 centers)
- 37 total pressures (64th out of 64 centers)
If the goal is to protect Maye at all costs, it doesn’t seem like Bradbury fits the bill for it. New England’s offensive line was one of the worst in the league in 2024, allowing the highest pressure rate at 40.7, and the group ranked 25th in rushing yards allowed before contact.
Using PFF’s metrics, Bradbury is a fine run-blocker, but all of the other intangibles just aren’t up to par for what New England needs from their starting center.
Bradbury signed a two-year deal worth $9.5 million with $3.8 million fully guaranteed. He said that he’s looking forward to a new opportunity to “re-invent” and “re-prove” himself after the Vikings decided they needed to add a player better than him moving forward, which Bradbury said was a wake-up call for him.
"There’s no ill will. I’m not bitter towards the Vikings. It’s just a new opportunity for me. I feel like when there’s a chance, if you don’t take the opportunity, you’re going to grow from it. And do, it’s more about I get to reinvent myself, I get to re-prove myself. The minute you think you have it figured out, you’re gone."Garrett Bradbury
When I watched Bradbury say this during the press conference, it seemed like he felt too comfortable with his status on the Vikings and realized it wasn’t a mutual feeling when he got the reality check of being released.
Although Bradbury landed a new contract just one day after being released by Minnesota, he’s not guaranteed a starting job here in New England and it’s worth noting that it’s going to be the first time in his career that he’s battling for a position, as he’s been a Day 1 starter since 2019.
The Patriots drafted a highly rated center in the third round with Jared Wilson, who graded as the most athletic offensive lineman at the NFL Combine with his speed. He only played center for one year as a starter while at Georgia, but he could easily slot in as a guard in the NFL.
Another player Bradbury could end up competing for a job with is Cole Strange. He finished 2024 as the starting center, which caught the eye of Vrabel from afar, when he re-watched some of the film from last season. That said, Strange has been playing at both guard positions through the first week of OTAs.
I’m not saying that Bradbury is going to get cut, but I don’t think a starting job is guaranteed. At this point, the only factor that Bradbury has over some of the other offensive linemen on the roster is overall experience in the NFL.
The offensive line is supposed to be a set it and forget it position group. New England hasn’t had consistent offensive line personnel since 2016-17, when they had back-to-back seasons with the same offensive line.
Vrabel is going to change that by solidifying a foundation that can work next to each other for the next decade in New England. He’s just trying to find the right players, finding his own guys.
We’ll have to wait and see if Bradbury becomes one of Vrabel’s guys.