The clock is ticking for Ty Chandler, the Minnesota Vikings’ 2022 fifth-round pick, as he navigates a make-or-break moment in his NFL career. Entering the final year of his $3.95 million rookie contract, the once-promising running back finds himself at a crossroads, with his role on the team hanging by a thread. After a fleeting glimpse of stardom, mental miscues and fierce competition have relegated Chandler to the fringes of the roster, with his future in Minnesota—and perhaps the NFL—on the line.
Chandler burst onto the scene with tantalizing potential. His 4.38 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine showcased elite speed, and his ability to explode upfield and create space as a pass-catcher hinted at a bright future. In his sophomore season, Chandler briefly seized the spotlight, stepping into a starting role after Alexander Mattison faltered. Fans and coaches alike saw a potential RB1 in the making, a dynamic playmaker who could carry the Vikings’ backfield into the future.
But the dream quickly unraveled. By Week 1 of the 2024 season, Chandler was splitting carries with Aaron Jones, the team’s undisputed lead back. After just five games, his role dwindled. Mental errors—missed blocking assignments and struggles in pass protection—exposed his inexperience. The Vikings, unwilling to wait, traded for Cam Akers, whose familiarity with head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system saw him leapfrog Chandler for RB2 duties. From there, Chandler’s snaps plummeted, with the young back seeing the field for five or fewer plays in all but three games post-trade. Relegated to special teams, his once-bright prospects dimmed.
The 2025 season brings even stiffer competition. With Jordan Mason, a former San Francisco 49ers running back, joining Jones in the Vikings’ backfield, the carries are scarce for whoever claims the No. 3 running back spot. According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, the RB3 role is “up for grabs,” and Chandler’s grip on it is slipping. Zavier Scott, a lesser-known back, has turned heads in training camp with his pass-catching prowess, threatening to overtake Chandler. “Ty Chandler’s special teams experience matters, but Zavier Scott has flashed in recent days,” Lewis noted on July 28, 2025.
Chandler’s struggles aren’t new. Last season, Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Ben Goessling pointed to concerns about Chandler’s game, stating, “I don’t think they’re terribly happy with Ty Chandler in some capacities of the game. Pass protection has been a question, and he just hasn’t seemed to have the explosiveness that we’ve seen from him at times.” With the Vikings’ coaching staff prioritizing reliability, Chandler’s inconsistencies have put him on thin ice.
The Vikings’ roster decisions add another layer of uncertainty. Last year, the team carried only two running backs—Jones and Chandler—alongside fullback C.J. Ham on their initial 53-man roster. If Minnesota opts for a similar approach in 2025, the RB3 battle between Chandler and Scott could be irrelevant, with only one making the cut. While Scott, an undrafted player, might slip to the practice squad, Chandler’s profile makes him a hotter commodity on the waiver wire. Another team could claim him, costing the Vikings a player they’ve invested in.
Rather than lose Chandler for nothing, the Vikings could explore a trade, much like their 2024 deal that sent cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys for Nahshon Wright. While that trade didn’t transform either player’s career, it highlights Minnesota’s willingness to swap talent for potential fits. A similar move could give Chandler a fresh start elsewhere while netting the Vikings a contributor in return.
As training camp unfolds, Chandler faces immense pressure to prove his worth. “Few need an inspiring training camp showing more than Chandler,” Lewis wrote on July 2, 2025. “He’s shown flashes, but this is the final season of his rookie contract. If he disappoints, Minnesota could move on.” The 2022 draft class, already marred by underperformance, has pinned its hopes on players like Chandler to salvage its legacy. But with time running out, he must rediscover the explosiveness and polish that once made him a standout.