Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sidelines against the New York Jets in the second half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The early sightings from training camp show the picture of a Vikings defense that is set to give the rest of the league nightmares during the 2025 season.
VikingsTerritory takes a look at how the Vikings’ defense, led by Brian Flores, is set to give the rest of the league nightmares in 2025.
The purple defense has looked dominant over its offensive counterparts so far. That shouldn’t be a huge surprise this early in training camp, with Justin Jefferson not extensively involved at the moment and Christian Darrisaw only just returning from his knee injury.
A Nightmarish Vikings Defense Is on the Way. In a Good Way.
The offense, which also includes three new faces on the offensive line, should start to gel more over the next few weeks.
Jul 29, 2025; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43), linebacker Dallas Turner (15), and linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) talk during the team’s training camp at Minnesota Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
J.J. McCarthy may have a great first season as the Vikings’ starting quarterback, but it’s more likely that any success this year in Minnesota will be achieved on the back of the defense. If McCarthy can just facilitate the ball to the Vikings’ playmakers at a middle-of-the-pack level in Year 1, then Minnesota has the defense to make itself a contender.
Brian Flores
The Vikings have one of the best defensive coaches in the league running their offense in Brian Flores. In his two seasons as the defensive coordinator in Minnesota, he has had to run his defense while covering some major weaknesses.
Flores used an exotic scheme heavy on the blitz to get the best out of what he had. Last year, it resulted in one of the best defenses in the league, giving most of the offenses they played more than they could handle.
Minnesota defensive coordinator B. Flores during the NFC Wild Card matchup versus the Los Angeles Rams on January 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
The two exceptions were the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams, who combined for all four of the Vikings’ losses last season. There was a major weakness on the Vikings’ interior defensive line, particularly when it came to interior pass rush. Not only was there a lack of production from that position, but it also left the talented Vikings edge rushers constantly fighting through double teams. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel still had very good seasons, but the good news for those two and Dallas Turner is that help has been recruited.
Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were signed in free agency, and both are proven commodities when it comes to interior pass rushing. Not only should that help the guys on the edge, but also the rest of the defense. Minnesota shouldn’t need to be as reliant on exotic blitz packages to create pressure this season. That should help them on the back end of the defense in the area that still has question marks heading into the 2025 season.
Is Isaiah Rodgers the Answer?
Byron Murphy emerged from the 2024 season as a Pro Bowl cornerback after the best season of his career. Big money was spent to keep him in Minnesota, and if the Vikings can find him a suitable partner on the perimeter, then their defense really could be the stuff of nightmares. The Vikings brought in a reigning Super Bowl champion cornerback to be the answer.
Minnesota cornerback Isaiah Rodgers speaks to the media after a 2025 minicamp session. Rodgers signed with the Vikings in free agency after previous stints with the Colts and Eagles. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
Similar to Murphy, Rodgers arrives as a CB with inside/outside versatility but looking to prove himself as a starting outside corner. So far, Rodgers has impressed during the preseason, and with the Vikings looking to dominate up front, if he can become a genuine starting outside CB. Minnesota’s defense will be complete and possibly the best unit in the league.
Flores has the most talent at his disposal he’s ever had during his time in Minnesota. However, you can be assured that he will still look to get creative. If it all comes together, this Vikings defense will be the stuff of nightmares for the rest of the league.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
