The Minnesota Vikings are entering a season with added expectations that the team has not faced in a while. Teddy Bridgewater is coming off a successful rookie season and with Adrian Peterson back behind the quarterback, many believe the Vikings are set to be contenders this upcoming year. The wide receiver game will help determine if that comes true or not as Charles Johnson emerges as the No.1 threat on the team.
The Vikings have been lacking in the receiving game lately, but 2015 is expected to be a different story. The Vikings acquired Mike Wallace in a trade from the Miami Dolphins, but it is Johnson earning all of the early praise. Johnson has gone from a practice squad receiver to leading man and Bridgewater believes this year will be big for him.
"You talk about that touchdown he had ... with the defensive back all over his shoulders," Bridgewater said, per ESPN.com. "Charles, he's a big, physical guy. He helps out in the run game with his blocking for the running backs and it showed tonight in the passing game in just the first half. ... He showed that he's going to be big for us this year."
Head coach Mike Zimmer echoed that statement from Bridgewater. The coach praised Johnson for his consistency on the field and strength against opposing defenses. Johnson along with Wallace and likely Jerome Simpson will be the starting tandem for Bridgewater to work with. That, once again, puts the future of Cordarrelle Patterson into question. The rise of Johnson has been met with the downfall of Patterson and at this point it might be too much to overcome.
According to the Pioneer Press, Patterson continues to be the cause of frustration for the Minnesota coaching staff. While many team sources do not expect Patterson to be headed out of Minnesota this season, there is no guarantees he sees the field a lot or makes it to next year. While the receiver is looking to turn things around this upcoming year, he has yet to show any progress. During the team's second preseason game he was the cause of an interception, something Zimmer was not thrilled about.
The run game is also leaving a lot to be desired. Peterson is out for the preseason and Jerick McKinnon is not impressing so far. The running back had a strong year last season, but has not followed it up after two preseason games. McKinnon is expected to see a lot of playing time despite the arrival of Peterson. The Vikings need him back on the production he showed in 2014.
