When looking ahead to the start of the Vikings' regular season, there aren't many positions to be concerned about. Although depth is an issue at some spots, the starters are mostly solid and ready for action when the 2026 NFL season commences, beginning with a Week 1 showdown with the Packers. Sadly, the Vikings' offensive line is a concern. Last year, this unit was decimated by injuries, and the lack of depth was glaringly obvious when watching an offense that struggled to move the chains and put points on the board.This season's issue is at the center. Last season's starter, Ryan Kelly, announced his retirement in March after sustaining multiple concussions, leaving the starting spot in question. Minnesota is ready to roll into Week 1 with last year's backup as this year's starter, but issues in training camp have cast doubt on that decision.Report card: Vikings' center situation looks like a problemLooking ahead, 29-year-old offensive lineman Blake Brandel is expected to be on the field for the Vikings in the season opener against the Packers. He has been an admirable backup so far in his career, filling in at tackle and guard in previous years before taking over at center for Kelly last season.That said, Brandel has struggled with his accuracy on snaps out of the shotgun formation in training camp, and his exchanges with the quarterback have left much to be desired. Still, Minnesota seems confident that he will be ready for the home opener.The Vikings are expecting a lot from Blake Brandel. Will he rise to the occasion? | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConnectAnother problem is the lack of a strong backup to challenge Brandel. Michael Jurgens is returning after being a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and played 309 snaps at guard and center last season, after not playing a single offensive snap as a rookie. Gavin Gerhardt is another center on the Vikings' roster. He is a rookie out of Cincinnati who was taken in the seventh round of the draft and has yet to make an impact during practices or at training camp. At the moment, he seems like no competition to Brandel or Jurgens.If the Vikings' center situation wasn't dire enough, when Brandel wasn't at practice, they had offensive guard Joe Huber play center. Although it is great for Huber to get that experience, it doesn't say a lot for the team's confidence in the backups at such an important position on offense.Early report card grades for Vikings centersBlake Brandel: DMichael Jurgens: C-Gavin Gerhardt: DOverall grade at center: D+Get Vikings On SI straight to your inbox: sign up for our free newsletter here.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow