The Minnesota Vikings have expectations this year. They have the team they have been waiting to get for years as Teddy Bridgewater steps in to his second season with the team and Adrian Peterson returns to the backfield. Upgrades at the wide receiver position should help the Vikings be in playoff discussions come the end of the season. However, do the new additions to the roster mean certain players are being put on notice in 2015?
The Vikings loaded up on depth this offseason which should help the win column, but could push other players to the sidelines. As training camp prepares to kick off, all eyes will be on Cordarelle Patterson who is well aware this might be his final shot in Minnesota. According to the Pioneer Press, Patterson has been working hard this season aware that it is a make-or-break season for him with the franchise. Patterson was the subject of frustration last year and found himself on the bench more times than not. Do new faces mean that change could be permanent?
NFL.com speculates that the starting wide receiver rotation for Minnesota could consist of Mike Wallace, Charles Johnson and Jarius Wright. Both Johnson and Wright saw their value increase last season while the addition of Wallace gives Bridgewater another guaranteed threat on the field. The Vikings also added Stefon Diggs to the mix who could challenge Patterson for playing time. A healthy Kyle Rudolph also takes playing time from other receivers.
The same can be said for the running back group. Peterson returns after a roller coaster year both on and off the field. After not getting the trade he requested, the running back returns as the starter for the Vikings. Minnesota will finally get that Bridgewater-Peterson tandem they wanted last season. However, the future is muddy for Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon. Last season, both Asiata and McKinnon thrived in the backfield, but neither are expected to see much time this season with Peterson on the field. The return of Peterson is not ruining the confidence of McKinnon who told the media he has the mindset of a starter whether he is or not. The backup is still expected to play a big role on the team, but Asiata might not see the field much.
"Jerick is working on those things," running backs coach Kirby Wilson said, via ESPN.com. "Trying to be three phases: a runner, protecter and pass catcher and he knows it's a process. Something you have to put in the time and work ethic to get there and to his credit, he's doing that and I'm looking forward to training camp to see where he'll be when we make it real."
