7 bold Vikings predictions for the rest of the 2022 NFL season
By Adam Patrick
Sullivan will be demoted by December
Minnesota’s secondary has not been good this year, plain and simple. The Vikings are currently one of the worst teams in the NFL when it comes to defending the pass, and this has to get better if they’re going to be a legitimate contender in the NFC this season.
Chandon Sullivan has arguably struggled the most among Minnesota’s defensive backs this season. The Vikings’ slot corner has not performed well in his first year with the team.
In six games, Sullivan has allowed his coverage to gain 229 yards after the catch according to PFF, which is the most among slot corners in the NFL this season. Opposing quarterbacks also have a 130.2 passer rating when targeting Sullivan this year, the fourth-worst mark among slot corners in the league.
It’s possible that he could improve in pass coverage during the next few weeks, but at this point, it seems unlikely. Instead, the chances seem pretty high that Sullivan will be sent to the bench by Minnesota’s first matchup in December.
Who will replace him in the slot? That’s up to the Vikings, but they can’t continue to keep him on the field much longer if he’s going to keep performing like one of the worst slot corners in the NFL.