Minnesota Vikings defensive deal with Jalen Redmond (61) fell on a free ball Aug 24, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, recovering a fumble in opposition to the Eagles throughout first-quarter motion at Lincoln Monetary Area. The defensive play gave Minnesota an early turnover within the preseason matchup, as Redmond’s alert response halted Philadelphia’s drive and offered the Vikings with a chance to shift momentum. Obligatory Credit score: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Final season was disappointing, as most Vikings gamers struggled to satisfy their expectations. The outcome was a 9-8 report and a season that nearly ended round Thanksgiving.
One man, in the meantime, stood out, or exploded onto the scene, one might argue. Jalen Redmond was the invention of Minnesota’s 2025 marketing campaign, however he’s nonetheless flying beneath the radar, it appears.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report nominated the best-kept secret of each roster coming into the summer season and he really landed on Redmond for the Vikings, though his breakout season is already within the rearview mirror.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is introduced down by Minnesota Vikings defensive deal with Jalen Redmond (61) throughout first-half motion at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Redmond utilized stress and completed the play with a deal with throughout the contest performed on Dec 14, 2025, because the Vikings protection labored to include Dallas. Obligatory Credit score: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Pictures.
“Jalen Redmond’s story alone deserves attention after being an undrafted free agent, needing the United Football League as a pathway to the NFL and growing into an underappreciated defensive lineman,” he wrote.
Redmond’s story has been unbelievable. After lacking time in faculty as a consequence of blood clots and later opting out of the COVID season for the explanation, Redmond went undrafted in 2023. The Panthers signed him, however he failed to stay round for the common season. Finally, Redmond joined the UFL.
4 video games had been sufficient to catch Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s eye, who finally signed him to a contract within the 2024 offseason. A strong rotational season in 2024 was adopted by a real breakout marketing campaign in 2025.
Sobleski continued, “There’s a standard to his play. It’s shown up every single week, and it goes back a lot before everybody started to notice it,” Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell informed reporters in November. ‘For us, just felt like he was a guy that we wanted to make sure was on the field as much as possible. He’s a extremely good participant. I believe he’s developed all through his time right here and actually is beginning to perceive how he suits throughout the protection.’”
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (61) reacts with linebacker Eric Wilson (55) throughout the first half at MetLife Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Pictures
Showing in all 17 video games with 15 begins, Redmond logged 6 sacks and 62 tackles on Minnesota’s defensive position, slowly carving into the reps from former Professional Bowlers Allen and Hargrave. He ended up as the highest defensive lineman on the roster.
Whereas Allen and Hargrave had been exed in March, Redmond was re-signed. The Vikings had the unique rights and handed him a contemporary one-year minimal deal. He’ll be a restricted free agent subsequent 12 months, except the Vikings signal him to an extension.
PFF analyst Zach Tantillo lately wrote concerning the two-year Viking, “Redmond emerged as one of the Vikings’ most reliable interior defenders in 2025. He earned a 73.5 PFF overall grade, ranking third among Minnesota defenders. He was especially dominant against the run, where his 30 run stops, 1.46-yard average depth of tackle, and 19.4% positively graded play rate all ranked second-best on the defense.”
Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen Jalen Redmond (61) and Alex Williams (99) take part in a coaching camp drill on the workforce’s facility in Eagan. The pair has been energetic in place battles because the preseason approaches. Jul 29, 2025. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Pictures.
Within the upcoming season, Redmond will likely be joined by a few rookies, together with first-rounder Caleb Banks.
Sobleski lastly concluded, “The Vikings employ an attacking defensive front. Redmond fits in nicely, with six sacks and numerous pressures last season. Minnesota wanted a disruptive interior presence, hence the selection of Caleb Banks in this year’s first round. He will join Redmond and give the unit an explosive, upfield duo.”
Redmond and Banks are each penetrating linemen who may benefit from the opposite rookie, Domonique Orange, whose two-gapping presence can open up lanes for his extra explosive counterparts. In base protection, these three challenge to be the beginning trio, except one other depth participant, primarily Levi Drake Rodriguez, can shock this summer season.
Vikings followers have already seen Redmond explode, however the nationwide media is slightly behind. One other good season ought to do the trick and provides him the eye he deserves.
Editor’s Notice: Data from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports activities Reference helped with this text.
Janik Eckardt is a German sports activities nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He selected the Vikings to be his … Extra about Janik Eckardt
