Vikings Defense Now More Important than Ever
The Minnesota Vikings’ defense was an absolute problem near the end of the 2023 season. It didn’t look much better during the first preseason matchup of the year. As the quarterback situation has now changed, the defense matters more than ever.
Vikings Defense Now More Important than Ever
Not many outlets expect much from the Minnesota Vikings in the year ahead. Moving on from Kirk Cousins and working through Sam Darnold or a rookie quarterback would always draw scrutiny. There was belief in J.J. McCarthy, but he was always going to be an unknown until game action came calling.
After a season-ending injury that fully puts Sam Darnold in charge, Kevin O’Connell couldn’t possibly need more from his defense. There is a very real possibility that Darnold works for the Vikings. The situation helps prop up that belief, but the team must bring it to fruition. That means anything Darnold does on offense has to be supported by a better defensive unit.
Expecting Kevin O’Connell to turn Darnold into the Vikings version of Brock Purdy isn’t going to happen. As good as Minnesota is on offense, they can’t win by having a quarterback be a low-risk game manager. Darnold will be asked to throw plenty, and if he can show the talent that had him initially drafted in the first round, then the defense has to do its part.
If Brian Flores can find ways for his unit to put Darnold in ideal down-and-distance situations, the Vikings may stand a chance. There is uncertainty regarding a pass rush with the group having seen change, and the secondary still looks like a problem. If Flores can get both to perform at an average or better level, then the record starts seeing upward mobility.
McCarthy could have come on at some point this season and provided fresh air. Maybe he would have been a deviation from losing, or he could have been a glimpse into the future. No matter what now, he won’t have any of those impacts, and whatever Darnold generates has to be supported by the opposite side of the ball.
The quarterback will get all the eyeballs, but the defensive unit has to make their presence felt more than ever.
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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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