Aug 10, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports.
The NFL used to be a league focused on the bellcow running back. That hasn’t been the case for some time now, and it’s about putting together a competent group in the backfield. The Minnesota Vikings struggled in that regard once Alexander Mattison flopped a year ago. They couldn’t be in a better spot right now.
Aaron Jones was brought in over the offseason to right the proverbial ship. He has always been a talented back, but injuries have slowed him down over the course of his career. He continues to say all the right things regarding his new preparation with Minnesota, and the early returns have been positive.
After nearly reaching the century mark in Week 1 against the New York Giants, Jones found much less room on Sunday. The San Francisco 49ers employ a stout defensive front, and he was held to just 32 yards on nine carries. That didn’t stop him or Minnesota from being effective though.
Last year Ty Chandler proved he was capable of owning a starting role as a running back. He was given an opportunity after multiple running backs were cycled through, and it was clear he was the best of the bunch. A better focus on pass protection this offseason has earned the coaching staff’s trust even more.
On Sunday, Chandler paced the backfield with 82 yards on 10 carries. He found running room busting off a 25-yard carry. Though he didn’t factor into the passing game, that’s where Jones was able to supplement. The former Green Bay Packer can catch from all over the field and hauled in five of six targets for another 36 yards.
Sam Darnold is competing at a level we have never seen. The passing game has thrived with him under center, and it’s a big reason Minnesota is 2-0. Without the tight end security blanket that is T.J. Hockenson, the running backs become a more significant part of the game. Generating yards on carries and getting open in the passing game means they are both doing their jobs at a high level.
There are certainly better running backs across the league than Jones and Chandler. Together, though, they create a great tandem for the Vikings, and Kevin O’Connell appears ready to deploy both aggressively.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.