Vikings Make U-Turn at a Specialist Position
The Minnesota Vikings have made some strange moves ahead of the 2024 season. Parting ways with Jaren Hall after a solid preseason came as a surprise, especially after the team announced they would replace him by signing veteran Brett Rypien, who carries a 4/9 touchdowns to interception ratio. That came just two days after the first shocker.
Vikings Make U-Turn at a Specialist Position
On Tuesday, the Vikings decided to show running back and kick return specialist Kene Nwangwu the door. Of course, that move was especially surprising because the league had changed the kickoff rules in the offseason with the clear intention to force more returns rather than turning the play into a snooze festival filled with fair catches and touchbacks.
Nwangwu, a 2022 second-team All-Pro and arguably snubbed from collecting more accolades throughout his three-year career, was certainly expected to have more value in 2024.
The Vikings said no thanks to a continued work relationship, waiving him. He has since been claimed off waivers and waived again after failing his physical with the Saints.
On Thursday, two days after saying goodbye to the returner and projected RB3, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stepped in front of the media and answered questions. One of those inquiries was about the identity of the new kick returner, and he said Myles Gaskin, who he cut but then re-signed to the practice squad, would be that guy.
Right now, it would be Myles Gaskin. [We are] really, really excited about what he did this training camp. [He] came back in incredible shape. Kevin (O’Connell) and I have the glass windows where he can kind of look on the field, and you see a guy after game day doing all kinds of drills just deciding for himself, “I want to be the best version of myself for this team.” [He] had a great camp, won the job and we’re excited to [see] what he’s bringing.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
Gaskin returned three kicks in the preseason and also returned a few kicks in college and during his stint with the Dolphins. He could take over the RB3 role and be the new kick returner. All of that sounded plausible.
On Tuesday, however, special teams coordinator Matt Daniels proclaimed a different plan.
Right now, we have Ty Chandler, and obviously, Ty did it last year when Kene was out for a little segment of time with the injury that he had, so we had Ty back there. We’ve been working with Brandon Powell back there as well, so those are kind of the two guys that we’re going into [the season] with.
Matt Daniels
The coach implied that the reason for Nwangwu’s exit was the fact that he lost his RB3 job to Gaskin.
Perhaps Adofo-Mensah thought he was asked about the succession plan for that depth running back position, and it was all just a miscommunication.
Chandler returned four kicks in 2023, totaling 97 yards. He also logged 37 returns in his five-year college career at Tennessee and North Carolina for 850 yards and a touchdown. Considering the rule changes, that experience might not mean much.
The third-year player didn’t return any kicks in his short preseason exposure but surely did get those opportunities to become more familiar with the new-looking returns in training camp.
It’s a strange change within less than a week. A simple misunderstanding is likely the best explanation.
Chandler, 26, will enter the season as the top kick returner and the backup running back to starter Aaron Jones.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt