Vikings Opener Could Launch a Backup Into the Spotlight
The Minnesota Vikings head to Chicago to face the Chicago Bears on Monday, kicking off their 2025 campaign. Expectations vary, depending on the opinion about J.J. McCarthy, who’s set to make his first career start in the divisional clash.
Vikings Opener Could Launch a Backup Into the Spotlight
The injury report featured two stars. Christian Darrisaw is listed as questionable, and it could go either way. Safety Harrison Smith, meanwhile, listed as doubtful, is set to miss the season opener. He’s suffering from a mysterious “personal health” matter, but coach Kevin O’Connell suggested that he just needed a ramp-up period before playing, so it’s not expected to keep him out much longer.
If he is, indeed, out Monday, the Vikings would have to rely on their depth players. Theo Jackson will obviously slide up one slot on the depth chart and start with Joshua Metellus. However, Brian Flores wants to deploy Metellus all over the formation and enjoys his three-safety looks, meaning a third safety is needed.
That could be Jay Ward, a 2023 fourth-rounder. In his first two campaigns, Ward has been a valuable special teamer (616 snaps), but his defensive experience has been limited to 63 plays.
It’s noteworthy that Flores has had that problem in the past. When Metellus had to sit out a few plays in Week 2 of the 2023 season against the Eagles, unproven defender Theo Jackson got some reps and even intercepted Jalen Hurts. He also entered the lineup with Smith out last year and, well, intercepted Geno Smith.
In 2022, prior to Flores’ arrival, Smith also missed some time, and third-year special-teamer (just like Ward) Metellus got the nod and caught a Jared Goff pass to seal the last win the Vikings have had over the Lions. A year before that, in 2021, Smith had to sit out because of COVID, and Cam Bynum intercepted Lamar Jackson in his first start.
Ward is just logically the next man up in that situation. Now, it’s far from guaranteed that Flores will actually turn to him. Veteran Tavierre Thomas has played in the league before, primarily as a slot corner. He’s listed as a safety on Minnesota’s official roster. Moving Metellus to full-time safety for a game or two could also be an option, much like eliminating any three-safety plays.
Still, without overthinking it, Ward is next in line. His preseason play turned some heads, as his name was mentioned fairly frequently. Flores has trusted him before, and he was just stuck on the depth chart behind excellent competition.
In August, Vikings Territory’s Josh Frey wrote, “He’s shown some great gains over the course of his Vikings career at safety as well, recording six tackles during this weekend’s preseason game against the New England Patriots and showing strong prowess in the secondary against receivers, including a pass breakup on a third down on New England’s opening drive.”
Ward was a versatile defender at LSU, playing all over the defense. He gathered experience at safety and played outside and slot cornerback. A player with such versatility will always have a chance to earn a role. Throughout his college career, he started in 46 games and registered 164 tackles and six interceptions.
The Vikings have fared well when promoting safeties this decade. Ward, 25, could be the next one against the Bears.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.