Fiery Aggregator Spreads Conspiracy Theory about Dallas Turner
When Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner turned pro nine months ago, he was among the youngest rookies in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fiery Aggregator Spreads Conspiracy Theory about Dallas Turner
It would always take time to acclimate the young defender, especially compared to other impact rookies, like Los Angeles Rams EDGE Jared Verse, who is 24.
However, some are impatient with his rookie development and are spreading conspiracy theories about Turner. One account from X, formerly known as Twitter, ran with a hypothesis suggesting the Vikings don’t trust Turner in game situations.
That’s The Purple Persuasion, a popular aggregator on Elon Musk’s social media platform. TPP tweeted this week, “I get that Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard were dominate this season but this is just flat out UNACCEPTABLE. Especially with Patrick Jones II missing time. It’s VERY clear Brian Flores did not trust Turner this season.”
Dominate was supposed to be dominant in the tweet, but ill-fated grammar prevailed.
Turner, in reality, found himself stuck behind two Pro Bowlers this season — actual Pro Bowlers, not just Pro Bowl-caliber someday — in Van Ginkel and Greenard. In no way, shape, or form could either man’s snap count be reduced, so Turner was often sidelined to watch and learn.
TPP has led a crusade this season, questioning why Turner doesn’t play full-time snaps, even if Van Ginkel and Greenard represent two of the league’s best EDGE defenders. On November 17th, the account tweeted, “Dallas Turner has been MIA once again this game. Have seen him very little today on the field. It’s clear now that DC Brian Flores does not trust him at this stage of his young career. Even in simple pass rushing downs.””
Eight days later, the Turner topic became damn near personality-defining for TPP, with another Turner-themed tweet: “It’s still mind-boggling why rookie OLB Dallas Turner can’t get more of OLB Patrick Jones II snaps (avg. 32 snaps/game). Outside of Jones’ 7 sacks, he’s near the bottom in the NFL.”
Until a recent injury, Jones II, too, kept Turner sidelined, probably because his sacks numbers were so prolific for a part-time defender.
Last offseason, the Vikings signed Van Ginkel and Greenard to free-agent contracts, and Danielle Hunter’s replacements were set. Adding Turner to the roster from Round 1 of April’s draft felt like gravy despite the high price required for the draft pick used on Turner.
Then, 2024 arrived, and Van Ginkel and Greenard proved to be “too good.” It’s a sweet problem to have for Minnesota’s roster depth — too many talented pass rushers.
In October, Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Turner’s time was coming: “He’s a young player in a defense where the roles and responsibilities sometimes in-game can adjust based on what we’re seeing.”
“I think we’ve got a really deep outside linebacker room with Gink (Andrew Van Ginkel) and (Jonathan) Greenard, Pat Jones, and then Haddy (Jihad Ward) has got his role. We’re going to continue to see Dallas have an impact. It may be a growing thing as we go here, but trust me, I’ve got a ton of confidence in Dallas. He’s growing within a pretty high-level IQ defense.”
And in December, Flores mentioned Turner: “Dallas and I had several one-on-ones last week…so we’re a little more on the same page as far as expectations… it’s important for everyone to get on a routine. The kid is super talented. He has a bright future ahead of him.”
The takeaway? With young rookies like Turner, the masses often don’t have time for a player to develop. So, they evidently turn to conspiracies like “the Vikings don’t trust him” jargon.
In reality, for Turner to effectuate an ample body of work in his maiden voyage season, Minnesota would’ve had to bench Van Ginkel or Greenard — which would’ve resembled gridiron malpractice.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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