Minnesota Vikings Player No. 3: G Pat Elflein
There’s a very strong chance the 2020 season is the last one offensive guard Pat Elflein wears Vikings purple. His rookie deal is up, and with the way he’s played, there is no reason for Minnesota to bring him back for another stint.
Elflein had a good rookie season, but then got injured in the playoffs. He has never been the same. After drafting fellow lineman Garrett Bradbury a year ago, the team moved Elflein to guard in hopes his play would look more the way it did in his first season.
It didn’t.
Elflein struggles against big defensive tackles, and if he isn’t getting flat out beaten, he holds on for dear life, drawing flags that are drive killers.
As bad as he’s been, Elflein still holds value for the Vikings for the upcoming season. He’s one of the few experienced guards on the Vikings roster and is also the primary backup to Bradbury. Elflein isn’t a lock to make the team, but it would be a shock if he didn’t.
Unless Elflein has some unexpected and magical turn around in 2020, this season should be his last with the team.