Resting Starters In Preseason Could Cost Vikings A Poor Start In 2023

Kevin O’Connell is just following the crowd. The prevailing attitude concerning preseason games in the NFL is that the last thing any head coach wants to see is any player – especially a starter – get hurt in a game that has no impact on the standings.

That’s why the Vikings did not play any of their regular starters on offense or defense play against the Tennessee Titans in their second preseason game, and that means that neither O’Connell nor any of his coaching staff could gain any insight on what might happen when the Vikings open the regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers September 10.

While this philosophy is not a surprise, it is questionable. Not all coaches subscribe to this thought process. The foremost proponent of giving the regulars a chance to play in the preseason this year is Andy Reid.

The coach of the defending Super Bowl champions has allowed Patrick Mahomes to play in both of the Chiefs exhibition games, including an extended outing Saturday night’s 38-10 Kansas City victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Mahomes completed 10 of 15 passes for 105 yards before he was replaced by 3 Chiefs quarterbacks, including Blaine Gabbert and Shane Buechele.

In recent years, Reid has been joined by veteran head coaches Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick when it comes to playing starters in the summer. Carroll has been known for running a more physical camp than many of his peers, while Belichick will use preseason performances to determine starters for several positions.

Reid, Carroll and Belichick don’t ignore the injury factor completely in the preseason, but they are not as fearful as several of the younger coaches in the league. By seeing their starters in action, they have a much better idea of what their players are doing right, what they are doing wrong and how to build strengths and improve weaknesses.

O’Connell may have all the right answers when he faces the media throughout the preseason, but he has none of the answers.

Perhaps O’Connell could make a strong case for resting his skill-position players like Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins, but the key to the success of the offense is continuity on the offensive line. It’s one thing to make sure star tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are healthy, but guards Ed Ingram and Ezra Cleveland need the work.

Same thing holds for the starting 11 on defense. Every Vikings fan knows that this has been the team’s weak spot for several years, especially last year when they ranked 31^st in yards allowed. How does new defensive coordinator Brian Flores know how Danielle Hunter and former Saints outside linebacker Marcus Davenport will perform together.

Byron Murphy should be a major upgrade at the cornerback slot, but doesn’t he need some in-game action so he can be at his best when the season starts?

Instead, the Vikings will use the first couple of games in the regular season against the Bucs and the Eagles (gulp) to get the team up to speed. While this appears to be a big mistake, it is the same philosophy followed by many coaches around the league – but not the best and most experienced ones.

The Vikings dropped their second consecutive preseason game, falling 24-16 to the Tennessee Titans. They got a positive contribution from linebacker Troy Dye, who has some hope of making the team. Dye intercepted a Malik Willis pass, and that play could help him gain a position with some team, if not the Vikings.

Wideout Brandon Powell made a statement as a punt returner, looking sure of himself on 2 punt returns that he returned 16 yards. His ability to haul in punts cleanly could help him make the 53-man roster.

On the other side, running back Kene Nwangwu may be in jeopardy when it comes to securing his spot on the team. He suffered an undisclosed injury nearly 2 weeks ago and he did not play against the Titans.

Overall, the Vikings really won’t have an idea of how their starting players will perform when the seasons kicks off. If O’Connell says he does, he is just fooling himself.