Chandler and the Saints agreed to terms on a one-year deal Tuesday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. Chandler, a 2022 fifth-round pick, appeared in just three games for the Vikings last season due to a knee injury, gaining 47 yards on 17 carries while catching three of four targets for 11 yards. However, he appeared in all 34 of Minnesota's regular-season contests in 2023-24, recording 643 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 158 carries. Chandler will likely compete for a backup role behind Travis Etienne in New Orleans and could also see action as a kickoff returner.
Chandler rushed 10 times for 23 yards and caught three of four targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 16-3 win over the Packers. Chandler was able to step into a more significant role in the backfield with Aaron Jones (hip) inactive in Week 18, garnering a season-high 10 carries. Chandler also reeled in his first passes of the year, finishing tied for second on the team in catches with wide receiver Jalen Nailor. The running back missed the majority of the season while on injured reserve with a knee injury, and he'll end the year having compiled 47 rushing yards on 17 carries while catching three of four targets for 11 yards over three regular-season contests. Chandler will enter the offseason as a free agent, and considering both Jones and Jordan Mason are under contract for next year, Chandler feels unlikely to return to Minnesota.
Chandler carried the ball seven times for 24 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day. Out since Week 1 due to a knee injury, Chandler was activated from IR earlier in the week and stepped into the No. 2 RB role with Jordan Mason (ankle) sidelined. The seven carries represented Chandler's first touches of the season, and they all came in the second half after Aaron Jones had been checked out for a leg injury late in the second quarter. The veteran back wasn't removed from the game entirely after halftime, however. With both Mason and Jones potentially at less than 100 percent, and the Vikings having nothing on the line in their regular-season finale, Chandler could see an even bigger workload in Week 18 against the Packers.