Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner saw limited playing time in his rookie season, logging just 308 defensive snaps while serving as the No. 4 EDGE rusher behind Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Patrick Jones II. Turner recorded 21 tackles, three tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, three sacks, and one interception in 17 games, including the playoffs. He also posted 12 pressures, seven hurries, and a subpar 6.3% pass-rush win rate.
Dallas Turner saw an expanded role in his second season, playing the most snaps at the position because Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel combined to miss ten games while leading the team in sacks. Turner totaled 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, eight sacks, and four forced fumbles across 17 games, ten starts, and 702 defensive snaps. He also posted 42 pressures, 27 hurries, and a 12% pass-rush win rate.
The Minnesota Vikings’ sacks leader faces a pivotal 3rd season
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dallas Turner faces a pivotal third season because he is stepping into a full-time starting role after Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia. Not only is Turner expected to consistently rush the passer and prove 2025 was not a fluke, but also expected to contribute on early downs against the run. He has been decent against the run thus far, posting a 4.1% run stop rate (104th out of 128) in 2024 and a 5.1% run stop rate (85th out of 128) in 2025.
Lastly, Turner has a fully guaranteed 5th-year option attached to his rookie contract for the 2028 season, with the decision due next May. If the former first-round pick performs well and is a reliable replacement for Greenard, Minnesota could exercise the option. Additionally, if he exceeds expectations, he could secure a lucrative extension next offseason.
Turner is ready to step up in Year 3
“I feel like if you make plays, it just builds your confidence. You start getting a mentality that you can go out there and do good things, make plays, you know, go out there and have fun and play fast,” Turner said, via Joey Hickey.
“I feel like the preparation comes first before any plays are being made, so, you know, the preparation that you have before you go out there and perform, I feel like, builds the confidence before you even go out there on the field and do what you can do.
“We got kind of a younger room. I’m still young, you know, in the NFL stuff like that, but I still have some type of experience that I could be some type of beacon or outlet to some of the guys that are new on the scene to try to learn something new from or just lead by example. Just kind of be like the older outside backer in the room to just kind of just make sure that everything is being ran right by example, by voice or anything.”
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