Is Ty Chandler the Vikings’ Overlooked Offensive Dynamo?
K. Joudry
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Ty Chandler didn’t get much of a chance in his rookie season, largely due to injury and some tough competition on Minnesota’s roster.
A 5th-round selection in 2022, Chandler could climb up to RB2 in the upcoming season. Dalvin Cook is a trade candidate, someone whom Kwesi Adofo-Mensah seems reluctant to partner with Alexander Mattison in 2023.
If Mattison does snag the top spot, then Chandler will likely carve out a significant role. He’s speedy and balanced, capable of picking up chunk yardage on the ground.
Ty Chandler and The Vikings Offense
His pre-draft RAS score comes in at 8.81. The RB got dinged for his size (or lack thereof) and explosiveness. Where he really shines is in his speed and quickness. He ran an eye-popping 4.38 forty.
He played five seasons in college, the initial four in Tennessee and the final one in North Carolina. In that final season, Ty Chandler ran for 1092 yards while averaging a robust 6.0 yards per carry. He scored 14 total TDs and his 15 receptions went for an average of 14.4 yards, a gaudy number.
Leading up to the previous draft, PFF praised Chandler for his explosive gains and ability to be a strong pass catcher out of the backfield. They describe his “extensive pass game experience” and how he can “strike fear in linebackers when releasing on routes out of the backfield.”
Minnesota’s general manager was sure to praise his running back in his recent press conference. He pivoted off a question to ensure he highlighted some of the sophomores he hadn’t mentioned before, including Chandler among those whom he thinks are “really good players.”
More important, perhaps, is what Kevin O’Connell wants to do on offense. After all, it’s O’Connell who’s the offensive architect and play caller. Clearly, the young HC wants to feature his RBs more.
Mattison is a strong runner, someone capable of lowering his shoulder to pick up extra yards. Nevertheless, he’s got pretty silky mitts. Sometimes, fans have mistakenly insisted that the 215-pound RB is mostly a bruiser, but that’s far from the whole story. Take a peak at the play that demonstrates both abilities:
Now, just because Mattison has the capacity to be a 3-down back doesn’t mean Ty Chandler isn’t going to see the field. A weapon in the passing game will always be coveted, especially with that kind of speed. Rotating the sophomore RB into the mix will keep Mattison’s legs and lungs fresh.
During yesterday’s presser, media members asked the Vikings’ GM about keeping his top pair of RBs. Adofo-Mensah’s answer about Dalvin Cook co-existing with Mattison didn’t exactly raise confidence levels that the current RB1 is sticking around The Gopher State. Before noting that they can be “complementary” talents and that “in theory” they can partner together, Adofo-Mensah had a couple seconds where he needed to gather his thoughts. The moment or two where he wasn’t saying anything said as much as the actual words.
The GM’s somewhat clunky answer suggests that the trade possibility is alive and well, especially on Minnesota’s end. There are pros and cons to moving on from the gliding, elusive runner, but at this stage it has to be considered at least a strong possibility.
Moving on from Cook necessarily elevates Mattison. In so doing, the other running backs on the roster also get a boost, Ty Chandler foremost among them. Kene Nwangwu is ultra important to special teams, so it would be surprising if he was the main backup at RB.
Instead, look for Chandler to get more opportunity in 2023.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Sport Reference CFB helped with this piece.
