Minnesota Vikings followers react within the stands throughout first-quarter motion in opposition to the Detroit Lions at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Sep. 25, 2022, bringing early power to an NFC North matchup as the house crowd adopted Minnesota’s offense and protection by means of one other divisional check contained in the regular-season schedule. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
The hype practice for Dallas Turner this summer time isn’t essentially uncontrolled, however it exists nonetheless. A lane is lastly clear for Turner to be featured as a full-time starter, and in keeping with Bleacher Report, that works out nice as a result of he’s some of the underrated gamers within the NFL.
Alex Kay revealed the checklist this week, exploring the league’s 5 most underrated commodities, and Turner received a faucet on the shoulder.
Greenard’s Exit Turns Turner’s Hype right into a Actual Job
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) settles into place throughout an NFC Wild Card matchup at State Farm Stadium, with Jan. 13, 2025 marking the postseason scene in Glendale, Arizona, in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams. Turner watches the play develop and prepares to react in a tense playoff setting. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures.
Turner = Considered one of NFL’s Most Underrated, per BR
Most Vikings followers would name Turner under-utilized, however BR rolled with underrated.
Kay defined, “Turner struggled to grasp the defensive coordinator Brian Flores‘ system as a rookie and was relegated to a meager 28 percent snap share. After mustering 20 tackles and three sacks across 16 games, he narrowly avoided the dreaded draft bust label but certainly didn’t do enough to warrant the costs of acquiring him.”
“That changed in 2025 when the 23-year-old finally figured things out and dialed in. He received a big bump in playing time (logging a 66 percent snap share on the year) while appearing in all 17 games and starting 10. He finished the campaign with 66 tackles, eight sacks and four forced fumbles—a sizable jump in production for the youngster, one that went relatively unnoticed due to the bulk of his sack production occurring in the back half of Minnesota’s dismal campaign.”
The Vikings traded a king’s ransom to get Turner in the course of the 2024 NFL Draft. They want him to be good.
Kay added, “Turner racked up 6.5 of his sacks between Weeks 11-18, including two in the season finale. He’s now primed to build on that impressive finish by stepping into a more prominent role following the departure of Jonathan Greenard — the Pro Bowl edge-rusher who played 74 percent of Minnesota’s defensive snaps last year.”
“If Turner seizes that opportunity and continues his current trajectory, he’ll have few issues shedding the underrated tag and becoming a renowned Pro Bowler.”
He’s Free …
Alas, Turner is free to be deployed within the Vikings’ protection with no Professional Bowl defender in entrance of him on the depth chart. It took two years. Minnesota not has to surprise when Turner will play full-time; that query has successfully answered itself. Turner demonstrated sufficient late within the 2025 season to earn a bigger position, and with Greenard’s departure, his path to elevated enjoying time is now uncontested.
Had Greenard signed an extension, Turner seemingly would have remained behind each Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel for an additional yr. Whereas that may have offered a useful downside for the Vikings, it might have been detrimental for a former 1st-Spherical choose striving to develop into a game-changer.
Now, Turner will obtain the chance everybody has anticipated. Minnesota can construct its outdoors linebacker room round him and Van Ginkel, then purchase a strong OLB3 to make sure a easy rotation. Which may contain bringing in a veteran like Jadeveon Clowney or Leonard Floyd, notably if the Vikings goal to handle Turner’s workload initially.
Stats to Date Agree with Kay’s Evaluation
In his second yr, Turner lastly started to embody the potential Minnesota noticed when buying and selling up for him.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) works in area in opposition to the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium, with Nov. 17, 2024, capturing the first-half motion in Nashville, Tennessee. Turner reveals the vary and urgency that formed his rookie yr as Minnesota leans on his pace in opposition to Tennessee’s bodily offense. Necessary Credit score: Steve Roberts-Imagn Pictures.
When Greenard sustained an harm, Turner stepped right into a extra outstanding position, and his snap depend surged to 66%. From that time, his manufacturing elevated, concluding the season with 8 sacks and 15 quarterback hits. He additionally added 11 tackles for loss and 4 compelled fumbles — a stat line indicative of a burgeoning cross rusher.
It was the model Vikings followers eagerly awaited.
His rookie yr in 2024 was more difficult to evaluate, as he performed solely 28% of defensive snaps. Nonetheless, Turner confirmed flashes regardless of restricted work, recording 3 sacks and 5 quarterback hits, together with 3 tackles for loss and 1 interception, giving Minnesota sufficient encouragement to stay affected person.
By November of his second season, a lot of the hesitation surrounding Turner had dissipated. He appeared extra snug in Brian Flores’s protection, which made sense as a result of not each rookie is game-ready. In any case, Turner was 21 in 2024.
He concluded the yr with a 65.5 Professional Soccer Focus grade, together with a 70.2 pass-rushing rating. He’s heading in the right direction
One Extra 12 months earlier than Extension Chatter, Consider It or Not
Identical to quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Turner has rather a lot driving on the 2026 marketing campaign as a result of he can fairly start speaking with the Vikings’ entrance workplace about an extension subsequent offseason. In truth, Minnesota has till Could 2027 to determine whether or not to train Turner’s fifth-year rookie possibility, a choice that’s up within the air proper now however in all probability trending in his favor.
Dallas Cowboys operating again Malik Davis (43) carries the ball in opposition to Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) at AT&T Stadium, with Dec. 14, 2025 putting the second-half motion in Arlington, Texas. Turner closes from the defensive facet as Minnesota tries to restrict Dallas’ dashing assault on the highway. Necessary Credit score: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Pictures.
It’s not fairly a “make or break” season, but when Turner logs double-digit sacks and absolutely solidifies himself as a long-term starter, he can instruct his agent to interact new basic supervisor Nolan Teasley for an extension which will pay him $25 million per season.
It feels just like the Vikings drafted Turner yesterday, however in actuality, followers are about seven months away from pondering his extension worth. Time flies.
Turner will flip 24 subsequent February.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
