There have been plenty of stories to come out of Minnesota Vikings training camp over the past couple of days. The run game has been a key subject of discussion throughout the course of the past couple of days, and now The Athletic’s Alec Lewis has an idea of how the run game will be able to help in more ways than just reigniting the offense.
The running game will have a few tweaks this season. Assistant coach Frank Smith should be able to help in that regard, or at the very least help stabilize what the Vikings accomplished last season. They averaged 4.5 yards per carry and also had 15 touchdowns on the year. This was equal to the same amount of touchdowns they had in 2023 and 2024 combined.
The new emphasis on the run game could be valuable for someone like Jefferson, and Lewis laid out the specifics in a recent piece.
“This run game revolution, though, parallels the Minnesota Timberwolves’ acquisition of point guard LaMelo Ball. Like Anthony Edwards, Jefferson’s exceptionalism comes with a distinct gravity. Opposing teams will continue to focus on limiting him — unless something forces them to focus elsewhere.”
Vikings Had Stellar Rushing Attack Last Year
It’s not as if the Vikings don’t have something to build from. They had tremendous success on the ground last year, both statistically and metrically. They ranked sixth in the NFL in terms of total rushing production. The Vikings ranked fifth in the league in explosive rush rate, which measures how much they can generate gains of over 10 yards.
The running game was led by Jordan Mason. He handled most of the rushing duties for the team. He had 758 rushing yards. J. J McCarthy also provided some dual-credibility as a quarterback. He had 37 carries for 179 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Other key contributors included Aaron Jones. He had 32 carries for 548 yards and two touchdowns. Even Xavier Scott was able to play his part in a crowded running back room, tallying 32 carries for 114 yards and zero touchdowns.
Jefferson Has Been Consistent Vikings Playmaker
The Vikings were able to get the most out of their running back room last season. Now with an added emphasis on running the football, this particular unit should go to new heights. It’s hard to officially know what that will mean for Jefferson. However, he was able to produce at a high level last season despite offensive inconsistencies.
If the Vikings were able to get an improved running game in 2026, that could make the offense more deadly and truly help Jefferson. It’s not as though he needs a lot of help, as he has been one of the most consistent wide receivers since he entered the league. With that being said, a more balanced offense could help him continue to be one of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL.
Balance is key, and a mind like Kevin O’Connell’s can help unlock it. It’s clear the Vikings want to elevate their offense in different ways, and this particular strategy could be beneficial for all involved. It could be exciting to see it executed in real time.
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