The Vikings May Have an OLB Downside

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sideline throughout the second half on Oct. 6, 2024, as Minnesota confronted the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Flores remained centered all through the worldwide matchup whereas directing the protection in a high-profile setting away from dwelling. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Pictures.

For years, the Minnesota Vikings have skilled some dominant performances from their edge rushers. Lately, it has been the mix of Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. This season, that group was cut up up when Greenard was seen as too costly and despatched to the Philadelphia Eagles.

That was an comprehensible transfer, each from a wage cap perspective and from a present roster development perspective. Dallas Turner was a first-round decide simply two years in the past, and a starter to point out breakout skill as he crammed in for an injured Greenard final season.

Brian Flores Could Want One other Dependable Cross Rusher

Now tasked with being the person reverse Van Ginkel, Turner gained’t have anyplace to cover. Flores likes to blitz, and he’ll be reliant on each Van Ginkel and Turner. The previous has confirmed his skill on this protection, whereas the latter might want to substantiate it.

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brigham Younger defensive lineman Tyler Batty (DL42) throughout the 2025 NFL Scouting Mix on the Indiana Conference Middle. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Pictures.

If issues go sideways early for Turner, the Minnesota Vikings may very well be in for a world of harm. Van Ginkel missed time with a neck harm final season, and the cabinets are naked behind the teenager Turner. Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and Chaz Chambliss are the one gamers with any degree of familiarity behind the 2 Vikings beginning edge rushers, and so they go away lots to be desired.

Turner had eight sacks in 17 video games final season (10 begins). It stands to cause that he may very well be in line for better manufacturing if he’s given extra runway. There’s additionally the chance that he merely will get uncovered, and Minnesota is left questioning what occurred.

Oct 5, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Payments defensive finish Joey Bosa (97) takes the sphere earlier than the sport towards the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Mark Konezny-Imagn Pictures

At this stage of free company, the open market doesn’t have a ton of preferrred choices. Hasson Reddick, Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and Denico Autry are all huge names over 30 years outdated. Yetur Gross-Matos is 28 and should be ascending. It doesn’t matter what, although, Minnesota doesn’t have an entire lot to spend.

The Vikings reallocated the financial savings from Greenard into the deal they signed with broad receiver Jauan Jennings. That transfer bolstered the offense, however Flores utilized strain to assist out the secondary final season. If he’s not going to have the ability to do this this time round, or can’t depend on the individuals he has, the group may very well be uncovered fairly shortly.

Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based mostly blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing ideas always on Twitter, … Extra about Ted Schwerzler