EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — There's hardly a less heralded role in an NFL offense than the run-blocking tight end, in light of the evolution of the position that has planted sleek pass-catchers routinely capable of beating safeties in one-on-one matchups up the seam all over the league. With the Minnesota Vikings , there's no shortage of celebration of the value Josh Oliver contributes.
“Josh is the best blocking tight end in the league, and that’s no disrespect to anyone else,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. “For everyone who wants to use that as fuel, go ahead. I can’t say I’ve studied each one that intently.
There’s some good ones out there, but we’ll take Josh over anybody in this league in the role that he’s in.” After the ground game lagged badly in 2022 in coach Kevin O'Connell's first season, the Vikings made an effort to build a more rugged and heavier rushing attack. Oliver was one of their primary targets in free agency, a player listed at 6-foot-5 and 259 pounds who's just starting to come into his own.
While the running game was only marginally improved in 2023, the Vikings with the arrival of Aaron Jones have finally begun to make the gains they need to in order for opponents to at least have to weigh the pros and cons of loading up pass coverage to slow Justin Jefferson at the expense of a lighter box near the line of scrimmage. Oliver has been one of the driving forces in the Vikings' improved running game, particularly while top tight .