If the Vikings decide to hand the keys over to young quarterback J.J. McCarthy next season, they are doing everything in their power to make sure he has time to throw the ball.

A source confirmed to the Pioneer Press that the Vikings have agreed to terms with guard Will Fries. It’s a massive five-year, $88 million deal for Fries, who started his career with the Indianapolis Colts and was regarded by many as the best player at his position on the open market.

After being selected by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2021 draft, Fries steadily improved his craft, working his way into a starting role. Though he landed on injured reserve last season after suffering a broken tibia, Fries is still only 26 years old, and he appears to be on an upward trajectory at this point in his career.The agreement with Fries comes roughly 12 hours after the Vikings agreed to terms with Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly on a two-year, $18 million deal. The fact the Vikings have committed to both players, who were teammates with the Colts, shows how much they have prioritized fortifying the trenches.

To say the interior of the offensive line was a major weakness for the Vikings last season would be an understatement.

Whether it was the inconsistent play of left guard Blake Brandel rearing its ugly head at the worst time, the seemingly constant struggles of right guard Ed Ingram ruining plays right from the snap, or any of the other lowlights in between, the Vikings entered this offseason knowing they needed to improve that part of the roster.

That’s exactly what general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has done so far with the addition of Fries and Kelly. There’s also a chance the Vikings could look to add even more talent up front early in the draft.

Meanwhile, the future of incumbent center Garrett Bradbury is up in the air, as it appears the Vikings are bringing in his replacement. Will they see if he’s willing to be a backup? Will they ask him to switch positions? Will they try to trade him to get his money off the books? All of that remains to be seen.

Briefly

After veteran quarterback Daniel Jones agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts, the Vikings are still in the market for somebody else to pair with McCarthy ahead of next season.