For quite some time, it seemed the Minnesota Vikings were ready to move on from Garrett Bradbury. To those closely following the team, his departure felt inevitable.
That sentiment became reality this offseason when the Vikings signed four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly—effectively signaling the end of Bradbury’s tenure in Minnesota. While trade speculation surfaced, no deal materialized, and the 2019 first-round pick was ultimately released in March.
Bradbury didn’t remain on the market for long. He quickly found a new home with the New England Patriots, proving there’s still a demand for a dependable, if unspectacular, veteran with 88 career starts. Even though the Vikings couldn’t drum up enough interest for a late-round draft pick, Bradbury clearly still had value.
He’s now part of a trio of free agent additions the Patriots brought in to bolster the offensive line and protect second-year quarterback Drake Maye. With offseason workouts kicking off under new head coach Mike Vrabel, Bradbury is getting his first taste of the New England culture and system.
While a change of scenery may have been just what he needed, Bradbury admitted that being cut still stings—regardless of how expected it was. Still, he harbors no hard feelings toward his former team.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Bradbury reflected candidly on his six years with the Vikings and what lies ahead:
“Absolutely, there’s motivation,” he said. “Minnesota gave me six great years. It’s a tight-knit locker room, and I made some strong connections there. But in the end, it’s a business. You never want to feel too secure, but moments like this remind you—‘Okay, this is how it goes. Time to move on.’
There’s no bitterness. No hard feelings. Just a new opportunity. These moments are about growth. It’s a chance to re-invent, to re-prove yourself. And the second you think you’ve got it all figured out, that’s when it slips away.
New team. New offense. New chapter. What can I bring to the table now? You have to bring it every single day—in meetings, in practice, in the weight room. It’s not just a wake-up call—it’s exciting. It’s a clean slate.”
As Bradbury enters what would have been the final year of his contract in Minnesota, he does so with a renewed mindset in New England—positioned as the likely starter at center.
Sometimes, the timing is just right. Bradbury isn’t dwelling on the past—he’s charging into his next chapter with purpose.
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