Aaron Rodgers Sounds a Bit Uneasy about the Vikings
It’s Aaron Rodgers for the Minnesota Vikings this weekend, a familiar foe, and Rodgers wasn’t afraid to compliment Brian Flores’ defense a few days before the showdown.
The Minnesota Vikings take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, and Aaron Rodgers shared some thoughts about the purple defense before the showdown.
Rodgers lost to the same defense in 2024 overseas, too, and now he’ll get a shot at the group in Dublin on Sunday.
Vikings Defense Could Fluster Aaron Rodgers — Again
The veteran passer shared thoughts on Minnesota’s defense before the Week 4 Ireland game.
Aaron Rodgers Recognizes the Vikings’ Defense’s Uniqueness
Knowing the Vikings’ defense intimately as well as Flores’ scheme, Rodgers opined on the upcoming matchup.
“Well, they’re going to bring pressure at some point and you got to have some ideas to combat that. So you got to expect it. They do a good job of disguising, everything looks the same. You don’t want them to get going and sack you a bunch and play behind the sticks,’ he told reporters this week.
“The schemes they run and the way they’re coached, there’s a lot of really good chemistry and continuity on that side. It doesn’t just come from players. There’s a schematic part of that, that’s really impressive. And then the players obviously make it go, once the call is made.”
Minnesota’s defense ranks second in the NFL after three weeks per EPA/Play.
“You have veteran guys, you have guys that can do different things like their three outside guys who can all drop into coverage and be effective, rush the passer extremely effective. You got my old buddy Harrison Smith running around disguising,” Rodgers added.
“A couple really good corners, a great corner that can come in and play nickel. Couple great inside guys. So there’s not any holes on the defense and they can throw a lot of stuff at you.”
No Stranger to the Purple Team
In Dublin, Rodgers will face Minnesota as a starter for the 31st time. He knows the opposition almost better than anyone.
So while the future Hall of Famer wasn’t shy about complimenting Flores and the purple defense, he’s seen this movie before. In fact, in 30 starts, mostly with the Green Bay Packers, teams led by Rodgers are 17-12-1 against the Vikings, and he has posted an unholy good 59-touchdown to 11-interception split.
Respect for Brian Flores
In addition to his pal Harrison Smith, Rodgers has the utmost respect for Flores, who has been a part of the NFL for even longer than him.
“He’s a phenomenal coach. It’s good to see him in a position of leadership. I feel like, at some point, he should get another head coaching job based on the way he’s coached defense over the last couple years,” Rodgers said about Flores.
That’s an undercover storyline on the way for Minnesota next offseason: “Will he stay or will he go?” on Flores taking the plunge on a head coaching job after his stint with the Miami Dolphins ended in controversy four years ago.
Flores’ Defense Roared in Week 3
Meanwhile, the Vikings’ defense will face Rodgers at the perfect time.
The group performed decently in Weeks 1 and 2 but did not live up to its usual deadly efficiency. Then, Week 3 happened. Flores’ men scored two defensive touchdowns, powered by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, and the defense took full responsibility for a 48-10 drubbing of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Flores’ defense is hot, and Rodgers probably knows it.
Steelers-Themed Media on the Week 4 Matchup
Steelers Depot‘s Alex Kozora wrote about Steelers-Vikings this week: “The Pittsburgh Steelers might have a long flight home from Dublin. Two ESPN analysts warned the Steelers may be overmatched Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland. Facing a defense that’s multiple and chaotic, Pittsburgh’s offense must perform better than it has. Or else the team won’t have a chance.”
“Rodgers’ passing game has been concentrated on short throws. The vertical passing game largely hasn’t been there, and the only chunk plays Pittsburgh’s created are via penalty. The running game has also faltered and is among the worst in football.”
Oddsmakers believe Minnesota will prevail by two or three points.
Kozora continued, “The Steelers’ offensive line is central to both issues, struggling to consistently protect Rodgers while failing to open up running lanes thanks to a myriad of problems. Facing Minnesota could only exacerbate those problems. Flores’ defense is arguably the most creative in the league with a talented and veteran roster able to digest his playbook.”
“The Vikings are one week removed from forcing five turnovers, two of which were returned for touchdowns, in a blowout win against the Cincinnati Bengals. A year ago, they tormented then-New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers with three interceptions and three sacks in a London win. Rodgers will aim to avoid a repeat performance. Not everyone is convinced he will.”
When Rodgers faced Minnesota last year, the event went so poorly that the New York Jets fired their head coach two days later.
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