The Minnesota Vikings kinda-sorta have a solution at the center position in 2026, and his name is familiar to Vikings fans: Blake Brandel. But later this summer, if the front office and coaching staff realize they want an alternative, and an old friend could be available via trade: Garrett Bradbury.

Minnesota has familiarity, a center question, and a theoretical path to an old-friend reunion.

Bradbury currently plays for the Chicago Bears, a club that drafted Logan Jones from Iowa last month. Jones will turn 25 years old as a rookie, suggesting he’ll probably play sooner rather than later, putting Bradbury on the back burner.

Bradbury’s Timeline in CHI Creates a Narrow Trade Window

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Bradbury on the Hot Seat?

Jones probably isn’t a rookie to be dropped in the crockpot for 2027 or 2028. More likely than not, his age and draft stock suggest he will play — possibly start — in 2026.

DaWindyCity.com‘s Parker Hurley wrote this week, “The long-term plan is now for Logan Jones, whom the team drafted in the second round. However, history tells us that this is more than just a long-term play. Almost all centers who get drafted that high end up starting more games in their rookie year than they sit. Chicago is in a win-now mindset, and they did not spend a second-round pick on someone who cannot help them win this year.”

“So, Jones will likely open training camp as the backup, but he is going to have every chance to win the job in the preseason. If that is the case, the Bears will have two decisions. They could keep Bradbury and ensure solid depth behind a rookie center. Given their questions recently at left tackle, they may lean into having better depth. The Bears could also trade Bradbury.”

Considering Bradbury spent his first six seasons in Minnesota, the Vikings would not be an outlandish trade partner if the last portion of Hurley’s assessment comes to fruition.

Blake Brandel, Michael Jurgens, and Gavin Gerhardt at Center

If the Vikings “do nothing” in the spring and summer at center, Brandel will likely put his paw on the football for the first offensive snap of 2026. He took over the position last year when injuries rocked Ryan Kelly, and truth be told, Brandel improved each week.

The club also employs Jurgens, a late-round lottery ticket from the 2024 NFL Draft. Then, Kevin O’Connell and Co. drafted Gerhardt in Round 7 a couple of weeks ago. The Vikings claim to have big plans for him, scouting him as their center solution while not drafting players like Jones.

But what if none of those options sounds as attractive as a Bradbury on the open market? That’s exactly why the Bradbury trade theory should be alive and well.

The Trade Price for Bradbury

The Bears acquired Bradbury for a 5th-Round pick in March. Chicago will not be able to turn around a few months later and sell him for more. They lost leverage when they selected Jones.

Therefore, while trade prices are notoriously unpredictable in the NFL, a center-needy franchise can probably pry Bradbury from Chicago for a 5th- or 6th-Round pick. That should be interpreted as the Bears’ penalty for drafting Jones. They tipped their hand.

The Vikings would then ask themselves: should we send a late-round asset from a deep 2027 draft class to Chicago for Bradbury, who we know intimately — or let it ride with Brandel, Jurgens, and Gerhardt?

SI.com‘s Mike Moraitis on Bradbury: “Guaranteeing more money for Bradbury would seem to indicate a trade of the veteran is now less likely and instead the Bears might be keen on keeping him around, even if he falls to No. 2 on the depth chart.”

“Keeping Bradbury around as more depth if he loses the starting job wouldn’t be the worst idea, although we still tend to believe Chicago would trade him in that scenario if the offer is right.”

Bradbury in 2025

Bradbury played a whopping 1,070 offensive snaps in 2025 and was flagged for zero penalties. He fired up familiar Pro Football Focus grades, notching a 60.1 overall — decent but not great. Then, he flipped the script on his modus operandi. Until 2025 in New England, Bradbury specialized in run-blocking while struggling — quite often — against big, mean defensive tackles in pass protection.

Well, with the Patriots, Bradbury produced a 56.2 run-blocking grade but 63.1 via pass-blocking. He basically switched his skill set around without any ceremony.

Overall, the Patriots must not have enjoyed him too much, shipping him to Chicago in favor of Jared Wilson, a 3rd-Rounder from Georgia in the 2025 NFL Draft.

But the fact remains that the Vikings could express trade interest because of their experience with him, and the Bears could be selling.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

File photo of Ravichandran Ashwin with CSK great MS Dhoni© X/Twitter

Adelaide Oval will play host to Friday’s
Round 9 AFL game between Port Adelaide Power and
Western Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 8:10 pm with Western Bulldogs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Port Adelaide Power vs.
Western Bulldogs
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday May 8, 2026 at 8:10 pm

Where: Adelaide Oval

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Port Adelaide Power vs Western Bulldogs Odds

Port Adelaide Power vs Western Bulldogs Preview

Port Adelaide will attempt to rebound from one of the most heartbreaking losses of the season when it hosts the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval. The Power looked moments away from claiming Showdown bragging rights before Adelaide snatched victory with a dramatic late goal, spoiling what would have been a famous night for Joe Berry. The Bulldogs also enter this clash under pressure after suffering a fourth straight defeat, despite a spirited comeback attempt against Fremantle led by Marcus Bontempelli. Defensive lapses continue to hurt Luke Beveridge’s side, particularly late in games. Port Adelaide has traditionally been difficult to beat at Adelaide Oval against the Bulldogs, who have not won at the venue since their memorable 2021 preliminary final triumph. With both teams desperate to steady their seasons, Friday night shapes as a high-pressure contest with significant early-season implications.

Screengrab from the alleged ‘vaping’ video of Yuzvendra Chahal© X/Twitter

Punjab Kings’ Yuzvendra Chahal (ANI Photo)

Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has landed in controversy after a video circulating on social media allegedly showed him vaping during a team flight. The clip, which has spread widely online, appears to show Chahal attempting to conceal the act while seated alongside teammate Shashank Singh. The footage was reportedly taken from a podcast video shared by Arshdeep Singh. However, it is important to note that the authenticity of the video, and whether Chahal was actually using an e-cigarette, has not been independently verified.

The incident triggered a strong reaction from former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, who called for stricter punishment if the allegations are proven true. Responding to a social media post, Sivaramakrishnan pointed out that vaping products are banned in India and questioned the effectiveness of the penalties currently being imposed.

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan post

“Vape is banned in India. Should be behind bars. What is the point in having Laws and not implementing them. 25% of match fees is peanuts. What if a regular person had done this, What would the action be?” he wrote on X. His remarks also referenced the recent punishment handed to Riyan Parag. Earlier in the tournament, the Rajasthan Royals captain was fined 25 per cent of his match fees after being caught vaping inside the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings. The controversy comes shortly after the BCCI circulated a detailed directive to all IPL franchises regarding tournament conduct. In the communication, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia reminded teams that vapes and electronic cigarettes are prohibited under Indian law and strictly banned across IPL venues, team hotels, dressing rooms and practice facilities. “Instances of vaping within dressing rooms and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to BCCI’s attention,” Saikia wrote in the official communication. “Accordingly, the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is strictly banned within all IPL tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels and practice facilities,” he added.