The Minnesota Vikings struggled massively to run the football in 2023. They finished the season 29th in rushing yards per game and tied for last in the NFL with just seven rushing touchdowns. Starting running back Alexander Mattison barely eclipsed 700 yards and no touchdowns.
They addressed the position in a major way this offseason by signing running back Aaron Jones away from the Green Bay Packers and that theoretically will take the Vikings rushing attack to another level.
It isn't just Jones that will be a big impact. Ty Chandler is going into his third season as a Viking and is impressing Harrison Phillips, calling the two running backs a one-two punch.
“I see us as having a one-two punch at running back (Aaron Jones),” Phillips said, “almost like they have in Detroit. I don’t know if that’s what’s happening on the offensive side, but I know that we have two true No. 1 running backs. I’d buy stock in Ty Chandler if I could.”
Chandler looked explosive in limited action for the Vikings, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt and ran for 132 yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. His explosiveness (4.38 40-yard dash, 1.46 10-yard split) is evident every time he touches the ball and if he fixes his pass-blocking issues, the Vikings will be able to trust him as a legitimate top option.
The Vikings need to improve the running game in a big way and can do that with consistency at running back, especially if they have two good ones in the backfield.
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