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Kevin Seifert
EAGAN, Minn. — In the event you have been searching for indications that the Minnesota Vikings will give linebacker Dallas Turner an even bigger function in 2025, OTAs and minicamp weren’t the place to search out them.
NFL guidelines that prohibit contact in spring, mixed with the Vikings’ observe construction, left observers clinging to at least one nifty play particularly, however effectively wanting drawing any clear conclusions. Turner has the form of draft resume that makes it cheap to mission an enormous leap from his rookie season, however he nonetheless faces the identical important impediment to getting on the sector. The Vikings have a pair of 2024 Professional Bowl gamers at his place — Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel — who’re underneath contract by means of 2027 and 2026, respectively.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores mentioned he views Greenard, Van Ginkel and Turner as “three starters,” however it stays to be seen who will come off the sector to make that true for Turner. Spring practices advised a number of doable eventualities, however Turner withheld any judgment.
“I would not actually put any expectations on 12 months two,” Turner mentioned. “I will simply let the work converse for itself. I’ve the instruments and the data as an NFL participant to place it on show. The precedence is simply being the very best Viking I can probably be, and becoming our protection no matter approach they should match it. Simply being a productive member of the constructing.”
Had been it not for the Vikings utilizing the No. 10 decide to draft quarterback J.J. McCarthy final 12 months, Turner would have been the speak of the group’s draft class. Ranked as one of many high go rushers out there, Turner was nonetheless on the board at No. 17 when the Vikings capped off a sequence of trades to maneuver up and choose him. All informed, they used seven draft picks within the acquisition, elevating short- and long-term expectations for his affect — even with Greenard and Van Ginkel already on the roster.
He wound up taking part in solely 315 defensive snaps, whereas Greenard and Van Ginkel mixed for 1,906 snaps. To place Turner’s taking part in time in perspective, take into account that of the 118 defensive gamers drafted within the high 20 since 2012, 106 performed extra snaps than he did, in response to the Professional Soccer Reference database. Turner had simply turned 21 when the Vikings drafted him, and he has been open about the steep adjustment he confronted on the professional degree and his preliminary shock that, as a rookie backup, he was anticipated to play particular groups.
This spring, nevertheless, Flores talked like a coach who’s searching for methods to get Turner extra concerned.
“We talked so much about him final 12 months and his progress all through the season,” Flores mentioned, “and he is simply form of constructed on that. No one talks about that rookie season once you’re in faculty and also you’re coaching, and it is the mix, after which the draft, after which it is new every little thing. New home, new journey to work, new every little thing.
“So he is rather more comfy on this atmosphere. He is aware of what the expectations are. He is bought a excessive customary for himself, and that is a terrific place to start out, however he additionally is aware of he is started working a big quantity to get to that customary, as all of our guys do. He is are available and actually gotten right into a routine that I believe goes to permit him to place his greatest foot ahead, put himself in place to have the kind of season he needs to have and we wish him to have.”
Turner’s most fascinating second of the spring, a minimum of in the course of the 5 practices open to reporters, got here throughout a 7-on-7 drill on the primary day of obligatory minicamp. Due to the way in which coach Kevin O’Connell constructions spring practices, 7-on-7 is the one time gamers are near working full velocity (11-on-11 drills are at roughly half velocity).
That strategy works effectively for educating assignments and changes, however it additionally would not present many clues about go speeding or run matches. So on this 7-on-7 event, Turner was lined up in protection towards tight finish T.J. Hockenson. Turner stayed with Hockenson stride for stride on a crossing route and tipped away J.J. McCarthy‘s go (1:50 mark in video under).
Huge issues taking place at first of minicamp.#Skol pic.twitter.com/b5jCI7mAtT
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 11, 2025
Laughing concerning the play later, Turner mentioned he participated within the Adidas 7-on-7 circuit in South Florida when he was in highschool however “by no means deflected a go like that.” It was a reminder of the flexibility the Vikings have emphasised since drafting him and may very well be a clue to how his taking part in time might improve in 2025.
The Vikings spent a part of the spring experimenting with how they are going to change security Camryn Bynum, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts in free company. On some events, veteran Josh Metellus was working in Bynum’s spot, vacating Metellus’ earlier function as a hybrid defensive again/linebacker. At different instances, Theo Jackson — a backup from 2022 to 2024 who signed a contract extension this spring — was working there.
Relying on how the Vikings play it, Turner might fill his personal model of Metellus’ hybrid function. And even when he stays a standard outdoors linebacker, the free agent departure of Pat Jones II — who performed 459 snaps in 15 video games final season — would appear to open up extra go speeding potentialities. It is also not unreasonable to assume the Vikings will give Greenard and Van Ginkel some further relaxation after each set profession highs in taking part in time final season.
“Dallas is coming into his personal by way of how he’s going to contribute,” Flores mentioned, “and it may very well be in a wide range of methods: as a rusher, as a dropper, on the ball, off the ball, in numerous packages. We’re excited his versatility, but additionally his progress.”
