Vikings' Ground Game Dilemma: Could Jeremiyah Love Be the Spark Minnesota Needs?
This season hasn’t gone the way the Minnesota Vikings drew it up. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah doubled down on building through the trenches, and head coach Kevin O’Connell entered the year with playoff aspirations.
But as is often the case in the NFL, plans only matter until the ball is snapped - and Minnesota’s blueprint hinged on rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy being ready to lead the charge.
So far, he just hasn’t been.
Instead of pushing for a postseason run, the Vikings now find themselves staring at a potential top-10 draft pick and a roster full of questions. The good news?
They held onto their first-round selection. The better news?
The 2025 draft class is deep, and one name in particular is starting to gain traction in connection with Minnesota: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
A Home Run Threat in the Backfield
Love isn’t just your average back. He’s electric - a true dual-threat weapon who’s just as dangerous catching passes out of the backfield as he is taking handoffs between the tackles.
NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler recently projected Love to the Vikings at No. 11 overall, calling him *“the draft’s most explosive offensive weapon.” * That’s no small praise, especially in a class loaded with offensive talent.
Love’s college production backs it up. After a breakout sophomore campaign in 2024 - 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns - he’s taken his game to another level in 2025, piling up 1,372 yards and 18 scores despite playing four fewer games. He’s got the burst, vision, and versatility that NFL teams covet in today’s game.
But here’s the twist: Minnesota hasn’t exactly been a run-first team. In fact, they’ve been near the bottom of the league in rushing production all year.
A Running Game in Name Only
Through most of the season, the Vikings have been one of just eight teams averaging fewer than 100 rushing yards per game. It’s a telling stat, especially considering the instability they’ve had at quarterback.
You’d think the ground game would be a natural fallback - a way to stabilize the offense and take pressure off the passing attack. But that hasn’t been the case.
Veteran Aaron Jones returned on a short-term deal, but at this stage in his career, he’s more of a rotational piece than a workhorse. Jordan Mason, acquired via trade this offseason, has shown flashes but hasn’t been a consistent difference-maker. His 48.2 rushing yards per game marks a noticeable dip from last year’s 65.8.
Even with the quarterback carousel spinning - and it’s been a wild ride - O’Connell hasn’t wavered from his pass-heavy approach. Last week’s 4th-and-1 call against Seattle, where immobile QB Max Brosmer was asked to roll out instead of handing it off, was a head-scratcher. It was the kind of play that raises eyebrows about the team’s offensive identity.
Is a First-Round Running Back the Right Move?
And that’s where the conversation around Love gets complicated. There’s no doubting his talent.
He’s the kind of player who can flip a game with one touch. But does it make sense to invest a top-15 pick in a running back when the offense doesn’t seem committed to the run?
It’s a fair question - and one the Vikings' front office will need to answer this offseason. If the plan is to build around McCarthy long-term, giving him a dynamic weapon like Love could ease the transition. But if O’Connell’s scheme continues to de-emphasize the run, a first-round back might be more luxury than necessity.
There are other paths to explore. Free agency could offer a lower-risk, lower-cost option at the position.
And with so many veterans on one-year deals, Minnesota has plenty of holes to plug. The trenches still need reinforcements.
The secondary could use help. And of course, the quarterback room remains a work in progress.
The Bottom Line
Jeremiyah Love is the kind of talent who can change a game - and maybe even a franchise’s fortunes. But for the Vikings, the bigger question isn’t about Love’s ability.
It’s about identity. Until Minnesota commits to balancing its offense and giving the run game the attention it deserves, using a first-round pick on a running back feels more like a statement than a solution.
If that statement is a signal of change - a shift toward a more balanced, versatile attack - then Love could be the spark this offense needs. But if the status quo holds, Minnesota may be better served looking elsewhere come draft day.