After acquiring Jordan Mason this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings will likely trade Ty Chandler during the NFL Draft this offseason. According to a report, the source believes the Vikings could trade Chandler since he no longer has a chance at a real role in this offense anymore. This is true considering Mason and re-signing Aaron Jones for two years, the team might stick to these backfield pieces for their ground game. Chandler was on his way to possibly break out after serving as the backup to Alexander Mattison during the 2023 campaign.
Originally selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, the former North Carolina product had a rough rookie year, spending the majority of the campaign on the reserve list with a thumb injury. Chandler came back in the last game, but after recording 20 rushing yards, it’s an afterthought for the running back. With just four starts during 2023, Chandler put up 461 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, making his debut with a high record of over 100 rush yards. Meanwhile, he was silent for last year’s season as the Vikings had all of their focus relying on Jones with former quarterback Sam Darnold.
Chandler might not earn a starting role with his next team. However, he wouldn’t need to make an impact with the next roster that needs a backup running back for these three next teams.
Breaking: Former Vikings Fifth Round Pick Ty Chandler on the Trade Block – 3 Possible Next Teams
Possible Destinations
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Even though they have major holes in the defensive pass rush, the Ravens could use another running back to help slow down Derrick Henry. He isn’t stopping anytime soon, but with age, the team will have to stay cautious of how often they want to run the ball. Henry surprised a lot of fans that he was able to stay healthy, but the Ravens might not get anywhere with a bust like Keaton Mitchell, who has yet to break out for this offense.
There’s still a lot of hope for the Baltimore Ravens to bring out the best in Mitchell, but the team would rather do that with Chandler. He has more years in the league than Mitchell, so it might make sense to get Chandler in the mix to boost this running back depth chart. He isn’t taking Henry’s job, but he could be useful in those easy chain-moving situations to maintain possession of the football.
New Orleans Saints
For the Saints, they might have to rely on running the football than they would like. Quarterback Derek Carr will probably miss the entire 2025 campaign with a shoulder injury, so head coach Kellen Moore is left without an adequate signal-caller in his first year. The Saints cut Jamaal Williams after an underperforming 2024 campaign and will probably draft a running back.
Since Alvin Kamara is under a contract extension, the Saints could bet on Chandler as a temporary backup until Kendre Miller develops.
Los Angeles Chargers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers are testing the waters themselves this season. They’re hoping that after signing Najee Harris, he fits better into what head coach Jim Harbaugh is looking for. The team still needs a backup to replace Gus Edwards since his release this offseason. Chandler could serve as a rotational running back to get those easy chunks of yards to make life easier for Harris to run it up in the red zone.
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