Should We Be Concerned About the Vikings’ Running Back Room?
Cole Smith
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Fans shouldn’t be discouraged that the Minnesota Vikings lost their ninth consecutive preseason game on Saturday night to the Tennessee Titans, 24-16. The coaching staff is trying to build the best 53-man roster possible for the regular season, so these games are about trying new things and putting players into stressful positions, waiting to see how they respond.
With that being said, fans can be encouraged or discouraged about certain players or position groups depending on performance. So far for the Vikings’ running back room, there is reason for growing concern. Through two games, the Vikings have run a total of 51 times for 174 yards and one touchdown, a 3.4 yards-per-carry average. The only players to average over four yards per carry during the two games have been quarterbacks Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall, and recently-acquired running back Aaron Dykes.
It should be noted that the Vikings have played few starters throughout their first two preseason games. The offensive lines behind which these running backs run are full of backups, practice squad guys, or players who won’t play in the NFL ever again. On top of that, head coach Kevin O’Connell isn’t calling the game the same way he would during the regular season.
Still, the results haven’t been overwhelmingly positive. Second-year back Ty Chandler did carry the ball 11 times for 41 yards in the team’s first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks while adding four catches for 29 yards in the air. But O’Connell aired caution after the game. Although he did say that Chandler “jumped out” against the Seahawks, he added that he wanted to see Chandler become more consistent on a day-to-day basis. Against the Titans, Chandler ran 11 times for only 24 yards.
Perhaps we wouldn’t have to stress about Chandler’s consistency if Kene Nwangwu, primarily a kick returner through his first two seasons, was healthy. He hasn’t practiced for most of training camp with an undisclosed injury. Despite his three kick return touchdowns in two years, Nwangwu has struggled to find a role on offense. After being rumored to be RB2 heading into camp, it looks as if Nwangwu could be finding his roster spot in jeopardy altogether.
With all this said, Chandler and Nwangwu are still vying only for the backup running back position. The starting spot may be its own issue. With the departure of Dalvin Cook this season, the Vikings opted to bring back his backfield partner Alexander Mattison to be RB1.
After a strong couple of seasons to begin his career, Mattison has struggled to be a consistent force in the running game. He averaged only 3.7 yards per carry in 2021 and 3.8 yards per carry last season. It’s not that the team needs Mattison to replace Cook all by himself. Mattison lacks Cook’s vision and speed, and outside of a handful of starts throughout the years, he’s never proven to be a bell cow.
After the team’s loss to Seattle, the Vikings brought in former Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt in for a visit. Was this because the team believed they needed an upgrade behind Mattison? Or did the team believe that they needed a replacement for Mattison? Ultimately, Hunt didn’t sign with the Vikings, but they were kicking the tires. Saturday night didn’t exactly put any concerns to rest.
The Vikings still have one more preseason game to play, so maybe this gets resolved after they play the Arizona Cardinals next week. Or maybe we’re just looking at everything for what it is at face value. There is no first-team offensive line with the likes of Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. Justin Jefferson isn’t on the outside drawing the full attention of defenses. T.J. Hockenson isn’t roaming the middle of the field, pulling linebackers away from the line of scrimmage.
But the running back room is full of questions and opportunities right now, and so far it doesn’t appear as if anyone is taking advantage. Will the Vikings try bringing in someone like Hunt? Will they try swinging a trade? Or will they have faith that everything will work itself out when the games count? It all remains to be seen. It’d just be nice if someone clearly stood head and shoulders above the rest of the pack.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.