Kevin O’Connell Sounds Off on Emerging Vikings Defender
Until last weekend, some Minnesota Vikings fans questioned whether 22-year-old outside linebacker Dallas Turner was any good at all. The critique sounded a bit strange, in general, but after getting a starting role against the Chicago Bears in Week 11, Turner completely changed his narrative.
Kevin O’Connell sounds off on an emerging Vikings defender, offering striking praise that hints at a larger role as the team sorts out its depth chart.
And head coach Kevin O’Connell noticed, speaking highly of Turner this week, even after his team lost to Chicago.
Kevin O’Connell Praises Vikings OLB Dallas Turner
Turner is coming into his own.
O’Connell on Turner
The Vikings skipper said about his young EDGE, “I think the every down consistency you earn those ops to rush the quarterback by the job you do on the early downs of physicality, setting edges.”
“You know, playing your role as an edge player in our defense is very important to stopping the run. The NFL is not just about your go-to move every time it’s about having that go-to move as a rusher, whether it’s speed to bull, whether it’s long arm, whether it’s a club and rip. Whatever it is, you got to figure out what your fastball is.”
Minnesota spent a mid-round draft pick fortune in the trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars that netted Turner in 2024.
O’Connell continued, “And much like when a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball wants to transition to become a starter, you can’t just throw two pitches. You need to have the fastball, and then you need to have your counters off of that. When you’re playing Lane Johnson, or you’re playing some of these high-end tackles, like they’re they’re going to, they’re repping all week to rep your counter moves, because they’re that confident in stopping the initial rush.”
“You’ve got to be able to pair it together with limited thinking and playing fast and explosive, because that’s what Dallas Turner is.”
Turner saw action on 28% of defensive snaps as a rookie in 2024, outshined by Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, two veteran Pro Bowlers.
O’Connell concluded, “It’s just putting it all together from a standpoint of a rush plan, the discipline of maybe some game plans, like a Lamar Jackson game plan, or even Caleb Williams last week, where you cannot just rush, just with your hair on fire and leave open exit strategies for these quarterbacks.”
“Because they are so harmful to to getting them off the field on third down, trying to limit the chunk plays when you’re not only having to defend the initial play, but then the off schedule play, which is in many cases even more dangerous.”
Turner’s Breakout in Week 11
Most of the Vikings’ loss to Chicago was depressing. The defense couldn’t stop the run, the quarterback couldn’t hit enough throws, and special teams faltered when it mattered. Turner was the exception.
The second-year EDGE finished Week 11 with seven tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass defended — a full-impact line for a young pass rusher finding his stride. He did his job. The rest of the team didn’t match it.
Last year, Turner only entered the starting lineup when Andrew Van Ginkel needed a breather or on obvious passing downs. Van Ginkel plays the hybrid role in Brian Flores’ defense — part coverage player, part edge rusher, part problem-solver. Jonathan Greenard, meanwhile, handles the straight-ahead power work: set the edge, beat tackles, and get home.
With Greenard out due to a shoulder injury, Minnesota asked Turner to take over the EDGE1 role. And it showed. The job fit him better than Van Ginkel’s assignment. Turner played faster, cleaner, and with more purpose, which probably says a lot about where his long-term home should be in this defense.
More Is Required
Now, the fun part: Turner must continue the momentum. “That Bears game in 2025” can’t be the single claim to fame that fans hold onto during the 2026 offseason.
Turner must grow this weekend, then the week after that — and in December. He must make the Chicago experience his breakout moment, followed by many more. That’s what 1st-Rounders do, and it’s why general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded oodles of draft capital for the speedy pass rusher.
Jonathan Greenard’s Status for Week 12 at Green Bay
Meanwhile, folks won’t know Greenard’s injury status until Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. Greenard missed the Bears game with a shoulder injury, allowing Turner to take over and do his damage.
If Greenard cannot play, Turner would be nominated for the same role as Week 11 — rearing back and getting after Jordan Love, while stuffing Packers running back Josh Jacobs (if he plays) or Emanuel Wilson.
Turner will still get defensive snaps in Green Bay this Sunday, but he could get a full game’s worth if Greenard misses his second consecutive contest.
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