The Vikings fell 24-13 to the Seahawks in the preseason opener Thursday night. Minnesota rested all of its key players. In fact, literally every projected offensive and defensive starter with the exception of one offensive line didn’t play in the game.
Nick Mullens started at quarterback in place of Kirk Cousins and he completed 14 of 20 passes for 139 yards and a four-yard touchdown to tight end Nick Muse. It’s the preseason so very little matter to the starters, but there is plenty on the line for all of the players fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. Here’s what stood out…
1. Ed Ingram singled out on the offensive line
Remember when the Vikings brought in guard Dalton Risner for a workout? Maybe it was to put pressure on Vikings second-year right guard Ed Ingram, who was the only member of the starting offensive line to play Thursday night. Ingram played just two series, but the fact that he was on the field is interesting and will be worth monitoring going forward.
The backups appear to go as follows:
- LT: Vederian Lowe
- LG: Blake Brandel
- C: Austin Schlottmann
- RG: Alan Ali
- RT: Oli Udoh
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2. Ty Chandler clearly RB2
Ty Chandler appears to have settled in as the No. 2 running back behind Alexander Mattison. The second-year speedster out of North Carolina started and finished the first half with 41 rushing yards on 11 carries and four receptions for 29 yards.
If Chandler continues this path and makes the team, then the real battle appears to be for the third running back job between Abram Smith and DeWayne McBride. Neither Smith nor McBride was impressive, with Smith finishing with 18 yards on seven carries and McBride going for 15 yards on six carries.
3. Jordan Addison looks very legit
The rookie first-round pick had three passes thrown his way by Nick Mullens. The first two were incomplete before Addison hauled in a 22-yard reception. But Addison would’ve had two catches if the replay officials would’ve given him credit for what appeared to be a Cris Carter-like grab on the sideline. Look at this gem…
Looked like Jordan Addison may have gotten both feet down here. Ruled incomplete pic.twitter.com/4wEPX7Zhkr
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 11, 2023
But if there was any question if K.J. Osborn is ahead of Addison fro the No. 2 receiver job, that was put to bed just by the fact that Osborn got the night off and was hanging out on the sideline with Justin Jefferson while Addison played through the first offseason drive of the second quarter.
4. Ivan Pace Jr., Luiji Villain look the part at linebacker
Pace Jr. was an undrafted free agent and there has been nothing but high praise for him in training camp, and that continued against the Seahawks has he tied for the team lead with six tackles. Pace started at middle linebacker and wore the green dot on his helmet, meaning he was receiving the play calls from defensive coordinator Brian Flores and relaying them to his teammates.
Another nice Ivan Pace Jr. run fit pic.twitter.com/xtvFcHsB4m
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 11, 2023
Brian Asamoah is currently projected to start alongside Jordan Hicks at middle linebacker, but Pace has clearly put Asamoah on notice.
Luiji Vilain was all over the field as well. The backup outside linebacker had three tackles, a sack, multiple QB pressures and a forced fumble. He certainly looks like he could be one of the backups to Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport at outside linebacker.
5. Doesn’t appear to be a kicker competition
Greg Joseph’s job looks safe considering he’s the only kicker the Vikings used despite bringing Jack Podlesny in for training camp. Joseph hit a 26-yard field goal and then drilled a 54-yard attempt for a perfect. night in Seattle.
