The Minnesota Vikings have made their second move of Thursday afternoon, and this time, it includes one other offensive lineman. As reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Vikings convey again IOL Austin Schlottmann. Darren Wolfson of KSTP additionally adopted up by saying it could be one other one-year deal for the depth lineman.

Schlottmann spent the primary three years of his NFL profession with the Denver Broncos, enjoying a complete of 42 video games within the Mile Excessive metropolis, together with seven begins.

Then, he opted to signal with the Vikings forward of the 2022 season, and he primarily stuffed the position of backup middle for Minnesota throughout this previous 12 months. That position proved to be very important after starter Garrett Bradbury suffered a again harm which stored him sidelined for the ultimate 5 common season video games.

Sadly, Schlottmann was solely in a position to fill in for 4 of these video games, and through that Week 17 sport in Inexperienced Bay, he solely performed a couple of snaps earlier than breaking his leg. The harm, in fact, ended his season, and Chris Reed was pressured into the lineup the place he remained for Weeks 17 and 18.

Schlottmann offers some good depth for the Vikings, and the relative success that he had whereas filling in at middle actually makes it price giving him one other contract. It also needs to be famous that he has expertise at guard as nicely, providing nice versatility for the Vikings.

Total, the Vikings seem content material to maintain issues constant on their offensive line for 2023. On Tuesday, they re-signed Garrett Bradbury to a really team-friendly 3-year contract as nicely, solidifying the middle, proper guard, and proper sort out spots for years to return.

The one query marks lie on the left-hand aspect of their offensive line at left sort out and left guard. LG Ezra Cleveland is coming into the ultimate 12 months of his contract, until he will get an extension in some unspecified time in the future earlier than subsequent offseason. Moreover, Christian Darrisaw might obtain a market-resetting contract if he continues to be a famous person at left sort out as he was in 2022.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The Faculty of Idaho with a bachelor’s diploma in Inventive Writing. When he’s not writing in regards to the NFL, Josh enjoys operating, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Try his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.