Kevin Seifert
EAGAN, Minn. — For those who have been in search of indications that the Minnesota Vikings will give linebacker Dallas Turner an even bigger position in 2025, OTAs and minicamp weren't the place to seek out them.
NFL guidelines that prohibit contact in spring, mixed with the Vikings' follow construction, left observers clinging to 1 nifty play particularly, however effectively in need of drawing any clear conclusions. Turner has the sort of draft resume that makes it affordable to undertaking an enormous bounce 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 beneath contract via 2027 and 2026, respectively.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores stated 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 recommended a number of potential situations, however Turner withheld any judgment.
“I would not actually put any expectations on yr two,” Turner stated. “I will simply let the work converse for itself. I've the instruments and the information as an NFL participant to place it on show. The precedence is simply being the perfect Viking I can presumably be, and becoming our protection no matter means they should match it. Simply being a productive member of the constructing.”
Have been it not for the Vikings utilizing the No. 10 decide to draft quarterback J.J. McCarthy final yr, Turner would have been the discuss of the staff's draft class. Ranked as one of many high move rushers obtainable, 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 instructed, they used seven draft picks within the acquisition, elevating short- and long-term expectations for his impression — 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, contemplate that of the 118 defensive gamers drafted within the high 20 since 2012, 106 performed extra snaps than he did, in keeping with the Professional Soccer Reference database. Turner had simply turned 21 when the Vikings drafted him, and he has been open concerning the steep adjustment he confronted on the professional stage and his preliminary shock that, as a rookie backup, he was anticipated to play particular groups.
This spring, nonetheless, Flores talked like a coach who's in search of methods to get Turner extra concerned.
“We talked loads about him final yr and his progress all through the season,” Flores stated, “and he is simply sort of constructed on that. No person 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 all the pieces. New home, new experience to work, new all the pieces.
“So he is rather more snug on this surroundings. He is aware of what the expectations are. He is obtained a excessive customary for himself, and that is an important 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 in and actually gotten right into a routine that I believe goes to permit him to place his finest 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 attention-grabbing second of the spring, at the very least throughout 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 instructing assignments and changes, however it additionally does not present many clues about move 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 move (1:50 mark in video beneath).
Huge issues taking place initially of minicamp.#Skol pic.twitter.com/b5jCI7mAtT
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 11, 2025
Laughing concerning the play later, Turner stated he participated within the Adidas 7-on-7 circuit in South Florida when he was in highschool however “by no means deflected a move 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 may 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 position 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 may fill his personal model of Metellus' hybrid position. 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 move speeding prospects. It is also not unreasonable to assume the Vikings will give Greenard and Van Ginkel some extra relaxation after each set profession highs in taking part in time final season.
“Dallas is coming into his personal when it comes to how he's going to contribute,” Flores stated, “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 several packages. We're excited his versatility, but in addition his progress.”
