3 things the Vikings can learn from the Chiefs’ Super Bowl journey
By Adam Patrick
No need for a star running back
Dalvin Cook is coming off of a great season for the Vikings and there is no arguing that. In his third year with the team, Cook racked up 1,654 total yards and 13 touchdowns. His performance helped Minnesota finish the season with the sixth-most rushing yards in the NFL.
So with the impressive numbers he put up in 2019 and the fact that he’s entering the final year of his deal with the Vikings, Cook is likely going to be looking for a new contract this offseason.
Locking down such a talented running back like Cook seems like an easy decision for Minnesota to make. But the Chiefs’ championship season proves investing a bunch of money in a running back might not actually be the best choice to make.
In 2019, Kansas City’s leading rusher was Damien Williams and he finished the season with a whopping 498 yards on the ground.
Instead of only having one guy take the majority of the work in the backfield, the Chiefs utilized two running backs in 2019. Williams and LeSean McCoy combined for 1,357 total yards and 12 touchdowns for Kansas City this season.
The Chiefs’ top two running backs also only cost the team less than $5 million in 2019, an amount that Cook will probably be looking to double in his next contract.
Even Kansas City’s opponent in this season’s Super Bowl, the 49ers, proved that a star running back isn’t necessary.
San Francisco’s top two backs in 2019, Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert combined for 1,676 total yards and 17 touchdowns while costing the team under $6 million.
New Vikings offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has proved in the past that his zone-blocking running scheme can find success with just about anyone. So will the Chiefs’ success cause Minnesota to consider other options in the backfield instead of potentially overpaying to extend Cook?