Alexander Mattison Remains Vikings RB1 vs Bears; Ty Chandler to Get Enhanced Role

Alexander Mattison still hasn’t fumbled away his starting running back job with the Minnesota Vikings just yet, according to a Chris Fowler (ESPN) report that dropped on Monday afternoon.

Alexander Mattison remains Vikings starting running back

Related: Minnesota Vikings Defense Rankings 2023 – Week 12

In the tweet, Fowler says that Mattison will still get the bulk of the carries but did add that Ty Chandler’s role will be more “enhanced” compared to prior weeks… whatever that means. Once again, the issue with Chandler appears to be in pass protection.

While Alexander Mattison will continue to start for #Vikings tonight vs. Bears, Minnesota will keep using Ty Chandler in an enhanced role. Team high on upside/explosion, once he gets pass protection down.

Vikings have good two-back dynamic leading into December.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 27, 2023

Why won’t Minnesota Vikings start Ty Chandler?

At first glance, the pass protection reference seems overplayed, when using it to excuse RB1 playing time for a RB who can’t hang on to the football or run the ball better than the RB2. And it appeared Mattison was as close to being benched as he has been all season, after head coach Kevin O’Connell went after him publicly last week.

But in the Vikings offense, given how much KOC likes to pass the ball, blocking ability cannot be discounted if the difference in the two blockers is that stark. We’ll have to see how snaps and carries are divvied out during Monday night’s contest.