From the moment he was drafted, there was little doubt Minnesota Vikings first-round pick Garrett Bradbury would earn the starting job sooner, rather than later. Now, assistant head coach and offensive adviser Gary Kubiak has removed any doubt.
“Oh yeah, that is where he’s going to be, and hopefully he will stay there for a long time,” Vikings assistant head coach and offensive adviser Gary Kubiak said recently, via the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
When Minnesota made Bradbury the 18th overall selection, some thought he would possibly start his career at guard, serving there until starting center Pat Elflein's contract ran out. It'll now be Elflein who will slide over a spot on the line to make way for Bradbury.
Of course, it'll now be the second time in three years the Vikings have had a rookie starting at one of the offensive line's most important spots. Elflein started there in 2017.
Elflein had been the center for every snap of his pro career, 863 snaps last year and 958 during his rookie campaign.
So far, the move seems to be benefiting him, as well, too.
“Pat has moved over to left guard and been a big-time pro, stepped in there and working really hard,” Kubiak said. “The guys are working good together.”
The Vikings are changing their offensive identity this offseason to embrace Kubiak’s zone blocking running attack that requires offensive linemen who can move, not simply push. The Vikings had trouble running the ball last year, and were often criticized for throwing too much.
If the moves work, the team could be playing games in January this season.
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