Vikings Already Shuffle Bullpen, Promote 1 Player While Demoting Another
Already, the Vikings have opted to adjust the bullpen.
Put differently, there has been a move to adjust who is operating as the main returners. The team brought forth an updated depth chart (answering a few questions in the process). At both of the KR1 and PR1 spot is UDFA rookie Myles Price, who had a very impressive August. Leaning on the depth receiver for both spots is good news for him but bad news for others.
Vikings Shuffle Bullpen
The Isaiah Rodgers theory about him being the CB2 and KR1 appears to be done.
Instead, Price is getting the chance to be the returner. Asking an unproven young fella to shoulder the load as both the main returner on kickoff and punt is ambitious but not totally unreasonable. Oftentimes, Price is simply going to waive his hand for a fair catch, meaning he’s not going to be sprinting constantly. He should, however, get multiple opportunities per game to put together something magical.
Minnesota hasn’t had a punt return touchdown since 2016, a reality that the franchise is very aware of.
Goes without saying, perhaps, but the returner’s first (and most important) task is maintaining possession of the football. Poor field position is better than not have possession. So, step one involves catching the ball cleanly and holding onto it through contact.
Want to become very unpopular with Brian Flores and the defensive players? Simply fumble away the ball after the defense worked hard to get it back. Doing so will lead to no shortage of frustration if it becomes a consistent habit.
Next up is an ability to turn on the jets, picking up yards in a hurry. Doing so will avoid the ire of the defense while currying favor with the offense. Myles Price can do both at once with safe explosiveness, seldom (never?) fumbling while still getting good gains.
Price’s ascent comes as bad news for Tai Felton. The speedy receiver has an impressive build and some excellent wheels but did have ball security issues in the preseason. The Vikings have dropped him down the depth chart accordingly.
Another notable detail? Simply that 35-year-old Adam Thielen is the backup punt returner.
Consider some discussion of the reality from over on Vikings Territory: “Throughout his long, impressive career that has involved 162 games, Adam Thielen has 6 punt returns for 8 yards. Total. That’s an average sitting at 1.3 yards per return with a career high sitting at 9 yards. He has never brought a punt back for double digit yards.”
Apparently, the hope is for safety with Mr. Thielen. Just catch the ball and call it a win. But who knows? Maybe the one who has been doubted for so long can still prove a few more people wrong.
A summary.
Myles Price has maintained his PR1 job while being promoted to being the KR1. Adam Thielen got bumped up to PR2 and Ty Chandler held serve, still operating as the KR2. Tai Felton got the demotion, getting dropped down to KR3. Nevertheless, Felton looks likely to maintain his spot as one of the gunners, an area where he displays much promise.
The Vikings take on the Bears at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football. Safe to say that a return touchdown would go a long way in ensuring that the 2025 season begins at 1-0.
