The Vikings made improving the offensive line a particular focus of the offseason. With excellent tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill in place, they overhauled the interior. Center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries were signed in free agency. Guard Donovan Jackson was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The new Vikings offensive line:
LT Christian Darrisaw
LG Donovan Jackson
C Ryan Kelly
RG Will Fries
RT Brian O’Neill
It was a beautiful projection.
The number of plays the above five have been on the field together: 0
Coming back from last season’s ACL injury, the Vikings eased Christian Darrisaw into the starting lineup this season. His first game back was last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Just when things were starting to look beautiful again news dropped that Donovan Jackson had wrist surgery last Monday. He’ll be out through the Week 6 bye. Great. Ryan Kelly missed last week’s game with a concussion. He was back for the Steelers. He left the game at halftime with his second concussion of the season. Great. It gets worse. Brian O’Neill injured a knee while blocking for the successful field goal that capped the Vikings opening drive against the Steelers. He didn’t return to the game and had an MRI later in the day. News on that MRI have yet to be released. With four of the five starters on the field, the Vikings started the Steelers game with as close to the dream offensive line as they’ve had this season. By halftime, only two of those players were on the field. Two starters. Three backups. The Steelers defense took advantage.
With the offensive line again depleted, it’s no surprise that Carson Wentz was sacked on nearly every third down he faced. When the Vikings had to pass, the Steelers defense simply ran unimpeded to the quarterback. Wentz was sacked six times and harassed relentlessly. He threw two interceptions. Both were tipped at the line of scrimmage.
With Carson Wentz under constant attack, it’s remarkable that he managed to throw for 350 yards. It helped that he had Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at the end of many of those passes. The Steelers really had no answer for Jefferson, in particular, and Addison. Both had more than 100 yards.
Justin Jefferson: 10 catches, 126 yards
Jordan Addison: 4 catches, 114 yards
Welcome back Jordan Addison! After having to sit out the season’s first three games to a league suspension, Addison debuted against the Steelers. His highlight play came with just over three minutes to play. He took advantage of blown coverage with an 81-yard catch and run. With an heroic effort, Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson ran down and tripped up Addison at the one-yard line. Wilson’s efforts may have saved the game for the Steelers. It took the Vikings four plays and about 1:17 to score from the one-yard line. Trailing by only three points, the Vikings could’ve used those extra 1:17 on their final possession.
The Vikings defense opened the game with a Jalen Redmond sack of Aaron Rodgers. They only had one more sack the rest of the game. That was also a Redmond sack. Rodgers peppered the Vikings defense with a quick passing game. It allowed for the efficient sort of offense that I hoped the Vikings would have. The Steelers were steady. The Vikings were frantic. The offensive line injuries in the second half made it too difficult to flip that script.
The Vikings play the Cleveland Browns in London next Sunday. The Browns defensive line is at least as fearsome as that of the Steelers. I have no idea who the Vikings might have in front of them. Making adjustments while in preparation for a game is far better than having to make them while in the game. One thing is certain, no more damn injuries.
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