Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota Vikings general manager had an excellent off-season in terms of free-agency acquisitions. Several of his signings have had a significant hand in the team’s 8-2 start to the season. The importance of Blake Cashman has been evident since his return from injury.
Cashman forms part of a trio of defensive signings that have been huge for the Vikings this season. Along with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, Cashman has been instrumental in the success of the Vikings’ defense this season. Brian Flores’ unit is performing at a high level, with impressive stats. Minnesota’s defense only allows 17 points per game (4th best in the league), 74.4 rushing yards per game (best in the league), leads the league in turnovers with 21, and is ranked 1st in the league per EPA/Play.
Cashman was missing for a three-game stretch because of turf toe, and that coincided with the Vikings only two losses this season. It’s not as simple as just suggesting that the Vikings lost because Cashman didn’t play, but his presence was sorely missed over that three-game spell. He is the link between the defensive front and the secondary. It takes a special player to handle the mental load that Cashman takes on in Flores’s defense. He also brings an aggressiveness and physicality that, combined with quickness of mind and body, makes Cashman a difficult matchup for offenses.
As good as Ivan Pace has been since entering the league as an undrafted rookie last year, he doesn’t have the all-round game of Cashman at this stage in his career. Pace moved into his green dot, play caller position, and Brian Flores had to use multiple players to make up the difference. The patched-up answer was a mix of Kamu Grugier-Hill or moving Josh Metellus and Andrew Van Ginkel to the middle. It wasn’t the same. None were as good as Cashman, and two of the Vikings’ best defenders were removed from their preferred roles.
Cashman returned from injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10 and has had a big impact in the last two games, making 9 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Cashman’s presence has been front and center as the Vikings; defense has dominated over the last two weeks.
Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 84.2, his highest mark of the season. He graded in the 70s for all categories, including pass-rush, run defense, coverage, and tackling, showcasing his all-around ability. His performance saw him named to PFF’s team of the week.
Having seen firsthand the issues across the whole defense that Cashman’s absence caused, Minnesota will hope he has no more injury problems this season. We are into the business end of the season, and the Vikings need Cashan leading their defense and patrolling the middle of the field in the important games ahead. Next up is the third divisional game of the Vikings’ season and the first against the Chicago Bears. Chicago’s offensive struggles in recent games saw a change in offensive coordinator before last week’s loss to Green Bay.
Cashman will look to lead the Vikings defense to inflict more misery on rookie QB Caleb Williams and the Bears offense.