After being benched last season, Ty Chandler is at a crossroads with the Minnesota Vikings.
The 2022 fifth-round pick is in the final year of his $3.95 million rookie contract. He has shone at moments with his ability to get upfield and create space as a pass-catcher.
However, mental errors in following blockers and picking up the correct assignment in pass protection relegated him to primarily a special teams role in 2024.
And now, there’s more competition in-house.
According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, “the No. 3 running back spot appears to be up for grabs,” meaning Chandler is at risk of being cut and likely moving on from Minnesota early.
“Ty Chandler’s special teams experience matters, but Zavier Scott has flashed in recent days with his pass-catching ability out of the backfield,” Lewis wrote on July 28.
With former San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason joining Aaron Jones in the Vikings backfield this season, there is little workload left for whoever emerges as the No. 3 running back.
However, the hopes of Chandler seizing the starting reins after he had a breakout sophomore season in place of Alexander Mattison appear to be gone.
“Few need an inspiring training camp showing more than Chandler,” Lewis wrote in a July 2 article. “He’s shown flashes, but this is the final season of his rookie contract. If he disappoints, Minnesota could move on.”
Ty Chandler at Career Crossroads With Vikings
Last season, Chandler entered Week 1 in a timeshare with Jones.
But after just five games, the Vikings had seen enough. For a second consecutive season, the Vikings traded for Cam Akers, whose familiarity with coach Kevin O’Connell’s scheme saw him immediately take RB2 duties behind Jones. Chandler played five or fewer snaps in all but three games once Akers arrived.
A member of a disgraced 2022 draft class, Chandler has been one of the few redeeming players. He ran a 4.38 40-time at the combine and has the physical tools that have kept him in the Vikings locker room.
But the clock seems to be ticking for Chandler.
“I don’t think they’re terribly happy with Ty Chandler in some capacities of the game,” Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Ben Goessling said upon Chandler’s benching last season. “I think 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.”
Vikings Could Explore Trading Ty Chandler
Last year, the Vikings’ initial 53-man roster coming out of training camp only rostered two running backs in Jones and Chandler, while also rostering fullback C.J. Ham.
That could be an approach they take again this year, only keeping two running backs on the active roster, which would make the Scott-Chandler, RB3 battle a non-factor.
But while Scott would likely go unsigned on the waiver market and an easy practice-squad candidate, Chandler would garner more attention and could be claimed.
Rather than let him go for nothing, the Vikings could explore trading Chandler in a player swap.
The Vikings did that, sending Andrew Booth Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for cornerback Nashon Wright.
Neither cornerback changed their career trajectories with their new teams, but it is a sound process that can produce viable contributors.
