ESPN Calls Out Biggest Weakness for Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings’ regular season is less than 10 weeks away, and when the team gets there, the rushing offense is evidently a concern, according to ESPN. The sports media giants sized up the Vikings’ roster, including strengths and weaknesses, on Monday, and Minnesota’s running backs got the unfortunate nod.

It’s true, too. The Vikings made no significant strides to improve the ground attack, except for using a 6th-Round draft pick on Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne.

Could Demond Claiborne Change the Conversation?

Aaron Jones reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Bears. Vikings running back weakness — Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones reacted after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears, adding another highlight to a physical NFC North road matchup. On November 24, 2024, at Soldier Field, Jones celebrated in the second half as Minnesota’s offense found the end zone in Chicago against a division opponent. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images.

ESPN: Vikings’ Roster Weaknesses = RB

Mike Clay made Minnesota’s top roster deficiency quite clear. He wrote, “Biggest weakness: Running back. It was a bit surprising that Minnesota did little to address this position after its running backs finished 30th in both rushing yards and scrimmage yards last season.”

“Aaron Jones Sr. has been solid throughout his career, but he’s entering his age-31 season and ranked dead last among 65 qualified backs in forced missed tackle rate and elusive rating in 2025, per PFF. Jordan Mason is an effective rusher (career 5.1 YPC) but isn’t a receiving option (28 career receptions). Undersized sixth-rounder Demond Claiborne was the team’s only offseason addition of note.”

On the other hand, Clay called the Vikings’ wide receivers the top roster strength. Perhaps the groups will balance.

The Unit in July

Without early- or mid-round rookie runners like Jonah Coleman or Mike Washington, who were available to the Vikings in the draft, Minnesota will enter training camp with the group:

Aaron Jones
Jordan Mason
Demond Claiborne
Zavier Scott
Kejon Owens

Jones and Mason figure to split the RB1 workload — like last year — with Claiborne and Scott battling it out for the RB3 job at training camp and in the preseason. Owens will either make the practice squad or get cut in late August.

In free agency, the Vikings could have explored Travis Etienne (NO), Kenneth Walker III (KC), Rico Dowdle (PIT), Isiah Pacheco (DET), or Kenneth Gainwell (TB) but took the plunge with none, instead re-upping with Jones at a reduced price. He accepted a paycut to stay in Minnesota through the end of 2026.

Jordan Mason warms up before a Vikings game against the Eagles. Vikings running back weakness — Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason warmed up before a home matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium, preparing for another Sunday role in Minnesota’s backfield. On October 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Mason went through pregame work as the Vikings readied for Philadelphia and another physical NFC test. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Other veterans like Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, and Austin Ekeler remain on the open market if injuries rattle Jones or Mason.

The Efficiency Last Year

In 2025, another season when the Vikings publicly announced they would run the ball more, they ranked 15th in Rush EPA and 13th in Rush DVOA. The efficiency passed the test, but Minnesota ranked 19th in rush playcall percentage. In fact, per the DVOA stat, the Vikings ranked 13th-best running the football while calling rush plays the 13th-least.

Therefore, a fix could be simple: commit to running the ball. It’s just that head coach Kevin O’Connell has been unusually reluctant to embrace the theory, probably because he’s a former quarterback who, when in doubt, dials up pass plays.

Thankfully, the rushing frequency spiked in December last season, and Minnesota won five straight games to close out the year. Perhaps O’Connell learned a lesson that will carry over to 2026.

Claiborne as the Big Hope

Claiborne, nicknamed “Lightning,” isn’t your average rookie running back vying for a roster spot this summer. Beyond the cool nickname, his football profile suggests he could be a game-changer. If Claiborne can inject even a fraction of De’Von Achane’s explosive energy into the Minnesota offense, it could elevate the unit to an entirely new level.

The comparisons to Achane are well-founded. Claiborne possesses a similar build and a knack for creating explosive plays. Crucially, he now has the opportunity to work with Frank Smith, who coached Achane in Miami for three years. There’s a tangible connection.

Demond Claiborne carries the football against Miami. Vikings running back weakness — Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne carried the football against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium, flashing the speed that later made him a Vikings intrigue piece. On November 23, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Claiborne worked through second-quarter action for the Demon Deacons in a late-season ACC road matchup versus Miami. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.

Should the Vikings finally establish a formidable ground game under O’Connell, the impact would be substantial. A dominant running attack would alleviate pressure on the quarterback and punish defenses for overcommitting to Justin Jefferson. The Vikings haven’t employed a dominant running back arguably since 2021 or 2022 when Dalvin Cook was still running wild.

While O’Connell’s play-calling genius is undeniable, he also needs to reveal his ability to construct a winning offense that isn’t solely reliant on the passing game to solve every problem. Claiborne might just be the catalyst that helps him achieve that balance.

Claiborne comps profile somewhere between Achane, Jerick McKinnon, and Nyheim Hines. Fans will begin to get a sense of his style and production in 68 days, when the regular season kicks off.