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The Minnesota Vikings had high hopes of turning a corner offensively when they faced the winless Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 4. Instead, they struggled badly for more than three quarters in a game that they eventually won.
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The Vikings are one of three teams in the NFL that are undefeated through the first four games of the season. They have joined the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, but their offensive struggles have not improved through four games.
There are plenty of excuses, but none of them will help going forward. Quarterback Kyler Murray suffered a concussion in Week 1, wide receiver Justin Jefferson sprained his ankle in Week 3 and OLT Christian Darrisaw was forced out of the game against the Dolphins with what was first thought to be a neck issue. He was later evaluated for a concussion.
In addition to Darrisaw, who is largely considered the Vikings’ best offensive lineman, guard Donovan Jackson was sidelined with a knee injury. He was forced out of the game in the first quarter and did not return against the Dolphins.
The Vikings went into the season with the belief that their offensive line was one of their strengths. That has been the case for each of the last the last three seasons, but the Vikings have had issues protecting the pocket and opening holes.
Their biggest issues have been on the interior. The Vikings guards and center have not been able to keep defensive tackles and inside linebackers from breaking into the pocket and wrecking head coach Kevin O’Connell’s game plan.
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While Darrisaw and ORT Brian O’Neill are considered the strength of the offensive line, neither of them has been as elite as the Vikings need them to be.
Vikings offensive line has been an issue for years
When the team made the playoffs with a 14-3 record in the 2024 season, the offensive line was pummeled by the Detroit Lions in a game that could have given them the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff structure. The Los Angeles Rams did the same to them the following week in the Wild Card game.
The situation did not improve last season despite the addition of OGs Will Fries or Donovan Jackson. Center Garrett Bradbury was viewed as a problem when he was in the middle of the offensive line, but they have not shown much improvement since moving on from him prior to the 2025 season. Blake Brandel is somewhat bigger and stronger than Bradbury — who is now in the middle of the Bears offensive line — but that area has not shown much growth.
The Vikings will likely show some improvement as Murray gets more time in O’Connell’s offense and Jefferson returns from an ankle injury that is not considered serious.
But until the offensive line stands up and asserts itself, the likelihood of championship contention is slim.
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This story was originally published October 4, 2026 at 10:46 PM.