After losing their franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins to an achilles injury in 2023, and proceeding to not reach terms with him in the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings looked destined for a rebuild going into 2024. To combat the pass thrower vacancy, the Vikings signed journeyman backup Sam Darnold on a one-year deal to mentor their prospective quarterback of the future J.J. McCarthy, whom the Vikings drafted with the 10th overall pick in the draft. Those intentions went awry, however, as Mcarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury after a promising preseason debut. With the team already in a tough NFC North Division, fans and the media put the team under the radar for the 2024 season, with little expectations for the team to succeed.
Fast forward to week two of the season, the Vikings are now 2-0 and just beat the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. A surprising win to many, credit was given to the composure Darnold showed in the game, throwing two touchdowns and over 250 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown pass to All-pro receiver Justin Jefferson.
But what was more overlooked in that game, and what I believe is going to take this team far, is the defense led by Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores.
Remember how the Vikings could not agree to terms with Kirk Cousins? Well, with that money they decided to instead beef up their defense, making up for the loss of All-pro Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport and Jordan Hicks. In the offseason, the Vikings picked up notable free agents linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman, edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, interior defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard, and cornerbacks Shaq Griffin and veteran all-pro Stephon Gilmore. Though the sheer number of pickups is something of its own nature, it is the immediate impact of the new defense that really has people talking.
Linebackers Van Ginkel and Cashman have already made big plays this season, with Van Ginkel having a pick six in the team’s opener against the Giants, and Cashman interrupting a pass that would become an interception in a crucial moment against the 49ers last Sunday. Returning linebacker Patrick Jones II is second in the league in sacks with four, as Van Ginkel has two of his own as well. The front seven of the Vikings were the cause of both Daniel Jones and Brock Purdy to feel heavy pressure in both games, ultimately leading to an 11.5 PPG average to opposing offenses through two weeks.
Though the signings and returning players are playing well, most of the credit, I believe, is due to Defensive Coordinator Flores. A former head coach with the Miami Dolphins, Flores has turned the defense without any big names into a collective unit of playmakers early in the season. The energy is evident in the games, with the team not centered around one player making plays, but several at their respective moment, almost as if they feed off one another. The best example of this was Josh Metellus’s interception last sunday, with Cashman being the defender who initially tipped the ball, Metellus trying to grab it but failing, safety Camryn Bynum diving to keep it in the air, and Metellus finally collecting it. The collectiveness and team-working ability of this unit is something that should scare any opposing offense this season.
Is it too early to make any big claims about a team after only two games? Of course, and I am not implying that the Vikings are poised to make a long run into the playoffs. However, with the statement win last Sunday and the current play of their defense, they are not to be counted out this year from being competitive in the NFC North, and can no longer be a write-off for “NFL analysts” assuming they cannot compete with the best of them.
