Vikings’ $8 Million Starter Put on Notice After Coach’s Statement

The Vikings’ $8 million starting tight end was given a warning after his coach’s comments.

The Minnesota Vikings began to rotate Alexander Mattison’s role after last week’s loss to the Denver Broncos, prompting coach Kevin O’Connell to address the issue with six games left in the season.

O’Connell was asked during Wednesday’s press conference if losing Mattison in the second half of last week’s 21-20 loss to the Broncos would hurt his scoring. “It’s very important that our players understand the importance of football,” O’Connell told ESPN’s Kevin Seifert on Nov. 22. “We have to be critical and make sure there is accountability.”

The Vikings, who started the season with seven losses, the most by a team since 2000, appeared to have solved their turnover problem until last Sunday. Minnesota fumbled the ball twice and had three total turnovers in a 21-20 loss to the Broncos. Mattison’s fumble forced Denver into a field goal to start the fourth quarter and cut the Vikings’ lead to one possession. The team’s 14 turnovers are the most of any team this season, and Minnesota ranks 26th in turnover differential.

Last week’s loss to the Broncos was the Vikings’ first loss in a turnover battle since a Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Minnesota is 5-1 since then, and the loss to the Broncos marked the first game since Week 2 in which the Vikings turned the ball over more than twice.

“I think this is an issue we’re going to deal with one way or another,” O’Connell said at a Sept. 25 news conference. “Either you have to [fix it] or bring some other type of security into the game.”

Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell discusses Alexander Mattison’s future in Week 12 with Primetime. bear

O’Connell explained the message he sent Mattison before Monday night’s primetime game against the Chicago Bears. However, Mattison’s role with the Vikings remains secure given the circumstances surrounding him, despite the recent emergence of sophomore Ty Chandler.

After releasing Dalvin Cook in the offseason, the Vikings signed him to a two-year, $7 million contract that was almost fully guaranteed in the offseason. Replacing Mattison would be a complete waste of team resources.

Finances aside, Minnesota has proven reluctant to commit to a quarterback outside of its top two options on offense. Before Cam Akers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, Chandler played four snaps in six games from Weeks 4 through 9.

Even after Mattison’s failure, O’Connell was willing to appreciate Mattison’s work.

“It was a big game,” O’Connell said in a postgame press conference on Nov. 19, according to the Star Tribune . “I thought Alex handled the ball well tonight, and so did Ty [Chandler]. I see a very good balance between these two. “It was definitely a decisive game, but we didn’t win.”

Mathieson is far from sheltered, but O’Connell’s latest statement is again raising alarm bells in the fifth year.

Ty Chandler has proven to be the Vikings most productive running back, but pass protection is an issue.

Chandler’s increased playing time was primarily an attempt to fill the void left by Akers, but the former fifth-round pick has shown some promise. He completed 55 of 89 snaps over the last two games this season, rushing for 118 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

The former fifth-round pick has the potential to be an explosive player on offense, but blocking him will force the Vikings to limit his playing time. The offense is pass-oriented and relies on the running back position to provide additional support.

Chandler’s deficiencies in pass protection became apparent on the play when Josh Dobbs was hit by Broncos quarterback, who caught Chandler and went to Dobbs, leading to the Broncos’ game-winning touchdown.