The Minnesota Vikings have made waves this offseason, and their revamped running back room is turning heads for all the right reasons. By re-signing star Aaron Jones and snagging former San Francisco 49ers standout Jordan Mason, the Vikings have built a backfield that screams potential. But amid this bold transformation, one player’s future hangs in the balance: Ty Chandler, whose time in Minnesota may be running out.
Once a promising talent, Ty Chandler’s journey with the Vikings has hit a rough patch. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Chandler showed flashes of brilliance late in his sophomore season, earning the final four starts over Alexander Mattison. Expectations were high for the speedster, who clocked a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, to share carries with Jones in 2024. However, the dream of a dynamic timeshare quickly faded.
Just five weeks into last season, the Vikings pulled the plug on Chandler’s role. His inconsistent performance in Minnesota’s mid-zone running scheme and struggles with pass protection—crucial in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system—led to a drastic reduction in snaps. The team’s decision to trade for Cam Akers from the Houston Texans spoke volumes, as Chandler was relegated to five or fewer snaps in all but three games after Akers’ arrival.
Now in the final year of his $3.95 million rookie contract, Chandler faces a make-or-break moment. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis didn’t mince words in a July 2 article, stating, “Few need an inspiring training camp showing more than Chandler. He’s shown flashes, but this is the final season of his rookie contract. If he disappoints, Minnesota could move on.” With little trade value and a lackluster 2024 season, Chandler’s days in purple and gold could be numbered.
Chandler’s physical tools are undeniable. His speed and ability to catch passes out of the backfield make him a tantalizing prospect. Yet, his inability to consistently find gaps in the Vikings’ running scheme and his struggles in pass protection have raised red flags. “I don’t think they’re terribly happy with Ty Chandler in some capacities of the game,” Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Ben Goessling noted last season. “Pass protection has been a question with him, and he just hasn’t seemed to have the explosiveness that we’ve seen from him at times.”
With Zavier Scott as the primary competition for the RB3 role, the Vikings have shown they’re not afraid to explore the trade market for veteran talent. If Chandler can’t deliver a standout performance in training camp, the team may cut ties, leaving the young back to fight for his NFL future elsewhere.
While Chandler’s future remains uncertain, the Vikings’ running back room is buzzing with excitement, thanks to the addition of Jordan Mason. The former 49ers backup proved his worth last season when he stepped into the spotlight during Christian McCaffrey’s absence. In 12 games, including six starts, Mason racked up an impressive 789 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
At 5-foot-11 and a bruising 223 pounds, Mason is a force of nature. His compact, powerful frame makes him a perfect fit for short-yardage situations, an area where the Vikings have historically struggled. But it’s not just his physicality that has analysts raving—it’s his vision. Alec Lewis called Mason’s signing “the most underrated Vikings move of the offseason,” praising his ability to read defenses and make decisive cuts. “He benefited from the San Francisco 49ers’ run-game infrastructure, but there is something about his vision that seems different. Plus, he’s massive,” Lewis wrote.
Paired with Aaron Jones, Mason gives Minnesota a formidable one-two punch in the backfield. Jones brings veteran savvy and versatility, while Mason’s raw power and instinctual running style add a new dimension to the Vikings’ ground game.
As the Vikings gear up for the 2025 season, their running back room is poised for greatness. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason form a dynamic duo capable of keeping defenses on their heels. However, for Ty Chandler, the clock is ticking. Without a breakout showing in training camp, the $4 million playmaker could find himself on the outside looking in. The Vikings’ bold offseason moves signal a team ready to contend—but for one young running back, it’s now or never.