Champagne Problem Flows at Vikings Minicamp
The Minnesota Vikings are back — sort of — with mandatory minicamp underway this week in Eagan.
The Vikings have too much of a good thing, confirmed by the team’s defensive coordinator.
The club has a couple more weeks of June practices before a long break until July, when training camp really heats up.
And at minicamp, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores explained one of the franchise’s current champagne problems — “too many” starting EDGE defenders.
Brian Flores Confirms 3 Starting OLBs
For the first time in a while, the Vikings possess three sure-fire starting outside linebackers on the same depth chart: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner.
Flores said about the group: “In that room, I really see it as three starters. So you’re Dallas with two guys who receive all the accolades, and obviously are good players. The best thing you can do, and I think Dallas did this, is to soak up that information.”
Fans have wondered this offseason about Turner’s role in 2025, as the team spent a fortune of trade capital to acquire him during the 2024 NFL Draft.
“Dallas, we talked a lot about him last year, his growth throughout the season last year, and he’s just kind of built on that. You know, nobody talks about that rookie season where you’re in college, and then you’re training, and then it’s combine, and then it’s the draft, and then you jump right in and new everything, new house, new ride to work, new everything,” Flores added about Turner specifically.
Everyone on Dallas Turner Watch
Why do folks care so much about Dallas Turner? Simple — he’s a gargantuan investment. The Vikings traded a very large portion of their 2024 and 2025 picks for him.
It’s why the most recent draft felt so skimpy with picks; general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded the farm for Turner.
Therefore, Minnesota needs him to blossom.
The Complete EDGE Department
Flores referenced a Big Three of sorts on his billboard of starting outside linebackers, a fair estimate. But there are more.
Here’s the full OLB group at minicamp:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Dallas Turner
- Bo Richter
- Gabriel Murphy
- Tyler Batty
- Chaz Chambliss
Too, if the Vikings reach training camp or the preseason and realize they need more pizzazz at the position, decent EDGE defenders are always available on the free-agent wire.
The Departed Pass Rushers
It’s worth noting that the Vikings lost some outside linebackers this offseason. Jihad Ward, a veteran who stopped by for the 14-win 2024 season, was not re-signed and remains a free agent. Long-time pass rusher Patrick Jones II, picked by Minnesota in the 2021 NFL Draft, vamoosed to the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
Onlookers interpreted those departures as a sign that Turner was ready for a larger role, a theory that appears vindicated after Flores’ comments on Tuesday.
More from Brian Flores on the Champagne Problem
Flores provided additional commentary on Turner: “He’s much more comfortable, I would say, in this environment. He knows what the expectations are. He’s got a high standard for himself, and that’s a great place to start. But he also knows he’s got to work a significant amount to get to that standard. I think all of our guys do at least come in and really gotten into a routine that’s, I think, allowed him to put his best foot forward and put himself in position to have the type of season that he wants to have, the type of season we want him to have.”
“So, all positive with him. Definitely some growth, or a lot of growth from him, from his standpoint, and excited to see where this goes.”
He also wasn’t shy about name-dropping Greenard and Van Ginkel.
Flored stated, “The skills that Jonathan Greenard has, the energy that JG brings, the skills that Andrew Van Ginkel have, has the energy that he brings. You know, the different ways that contribute to the team. Dallas is coming into his own. As far as you know, how he’s been contributing. It can be in a variety of ways, as a rusher, as a dropper, on the ball, off the ball, in different packages. So you know, we’re excited about his versatility, but also his growth.”
The Vikings are expected to win eight or nine games this season, following 14 dubs in 2024.
Surprise Rocks Vikings Minicamp
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