The Vikings’ Run Game Needs More Juice

If the Minnesota Vikings ever committed to running the football at a balanced clip from cover to cover during a given regular season, fans might see Kevin O’Connell’s offense fully take flight for the first time. Explosive runs especially are missing, and if the coaching staff can somehow empower the tailbacks to generate those in 2026, the Vikings could cook with gas.

During the O’Connell era (since 2022), Minnesota has produced surprisingly few explosive runs (20+ yard gains), so much so that the trend desperately needs to change.

Minnesota’s Explosive Run Problem Is Bigger Than One Season

The Numbers

Overall, the Vikings ranked 13th per rushing DVOA in 2025 – – pretty commendable for a team that aspires to improve that faction of the offense. Of course, the club ranked 19th in rush play-call percentage, and that should probably be nudged closer to the top half of the NFL. In fact, the Vikings started running the ball at a more balanced rate in December and January, and wouldn’t you know it? They won five straight games.

Still, the explosive runs were largely lacking. Here’s a look at the numbers leaguewide:

And the problem isn’t confined to 2025. O’Connell took over the Vikings in 2022, and on his watch, Minnesota is tied for the fewest rushes of 20+ yards during the timeframe.

If you feel like the Vikings don’t bust off chunk yardage on the ground too often, the numbers confirm your suspicion.

One Newcomer Could Help Fix It

Can this be fixed as soon as 2026? Maybe. Minnesota opted to run it back at RB1 and RB2, retaining Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason on the depth chart as the primary runners. Those two obviously didn’t break off too many 20-plus-yard runs in 2025, but with a new assistant coach named Frank Smith, formerly the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator, perhaps the stat will improve.

Another tailback, though, entered the mix in April. The Vikings drafted Demond Claiborne in Round 6 from Wake Forest. If he gets the touches in O’Connell’s offense, he could be just what the doctor ordered to fix the chunk yardage problem.

Otherwise, if Claiborne doesn’t see much offensive action and Smith doesn’t make much of a difference, the explosive run stat may not change. It’s up to Smith and Claiborne as new blood.

Taking Dalvin Cook and Adrian Peterson for Granted

Fans used to be able to find explosive runs all over the place in Vikings football. They were as plentiful as pepperoni at Papa Murphy’s. Not anymore.

Accumulating rushes of 20 yards or more was not a problem pre-O’Connell. These are the numbers:

How about the Adrian Peterson era:

From 2007 to 2010 – – the first four seasons of Peterson’s reign, the Vikings tabulated 71 rushes of 20+ yards (in four fewer games). From 2022 to 2025 – – the current O’Connell era — they have 23. Oofta. That’s over three times as many from 2007-2010 to 2022-2025.

Just Run the Damn Ball

The easiest way to change the Vikings’ offensive culture is to rely steadfastly on running the ball. That doesn’t mean O’Connell must morph into a run-first play-caller. But that does mean he must call run plays at a balanced ratio. For example, O’Connell tends to abandon the run when his team gets down ever so slightly on the scoreboard. That must stop.

Empowering Claiborne to cook on Sundays or finding a notable young running back during the 2027 offseason are probably the smoothest paths back to an explosive rushing offense.

Because the Vikings do not have one now.

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VikesNow Verdict: The Vikings don’t need to become a throwback, run-first offense. But seven explosive runs in 2025 – – and just 23 since 2022 – – aren’t enough. Whether the answer is Claiborne, Smith’s influence, or another future addition, the Vikings need somebody who can turn ordinary carries into chunk transactions.
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About The Author

Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is the co-founder and editor of VikesNow, a novelist, a writer at CBS Sports, and a political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders, is out now, along with his debut thriller, The Motor Route. He hosts VikesNow on YouTube and has followed the Minnesota Vikings intently since 1996. Guilty pleasures include peanut butter ice cream, The Sopranos, Basset Hounds, and The Doors.

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