The Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots wrapped up their joint practices ahead of the Week 2 preseason matchup, and one thing became clear during Thursday’s session. Despite all the doubts surrounding the aging additions along the defensive line and the naysayers who think Brian Flores has been figured out, they have put the league on notice. This front seven should have every team in the NFL more worried than a Dallas Cowboys player in a contract negotiation.
During the team period, New England quarterback Drake Maye was “sacked” five times by the Minnesota defense, according to Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal. Complain all you want about counting stats during the training camp practice. Still, it’s not like the Patriots’ offensive linemen were willingly giving Minnesota’s defenders free lanes to their franchise quarterback. The defensive front looked as good as advertised against a team not named the Vikings.
While still only August, it’s a great sign for a Vikings defense that will live and die by getting pressure this season. The secondary is arguably the weakest part of the unit, but it’s certainly a lot easier to cover when the opposing quarterback is face down in the mud. Star edge Jonathan Greenard, who ideally would set up a lawn chair and pour a drink for his cornerbacks if he could, spoke after practice about the defensive front’s mentality.
“Why not the guys who are literally the first line of defense not making the play?” asked Greenard. “You know, that’s kind of like the mindset that we all should have in that front five, front seven, whoever’s on the front at that time. We should make every single play. It shouldn’t even get to the linebackers or to the second level.”
That same mindset powered Minnesota to a tie for fourth in the NFL last season with 49 sacks, and they have a real opportunity to eclipse that total in 2025 with the revamped defensive line. Even without premier players alongside nose tackle Harrison Phillips, the Vikings still ranked fourth in both pass-rush win rate and run-stop win rate, according to ESPN’s advanced metrics.
In the offseason, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed that lack of firepower along the defensive front by bringing in veterans Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. At ages 32 and 30, respectively, the duo isn’t spring chickens anymore, leading to questions asking if the former stars were really an upgrade or not. Although the seasoned pair only played a combined 11 games in 2024 due to injury, they each played a full season in 2023, accumulating 12.5 total sacks. Meanwhile, the entire Minnesota defensive line combined for just four sacks all of last season, as virtually all pressure came from the edge.
Allen discussed his approach to the season after practice, but said he tends not to think in hypothetical terms.
“I’m not a big fan of expectations,” said Allen. “I’m a big fan of standards. I think expectations are too result-based. A standard is how you come and work day in and day out. So we come in and work regardless of what happens. I think us as players, the coaches, and the fans can be proud of what we’re going to do this year.”
When healthy (which they are) and in a good situation (which they are), Allen and Hargrave can be key difference makers in the pass and run game.
Minnesota took one of its most productive groups and made it even better. While lacking top names, massive contracts, and whatever alien laboratory built Myles Garrett, the Vikings will still feature one of the most ferocious pass rushes in the NFL this season. The additions of Hargrave and Allen might catapult an already stellar defense to new heights. Could Minnesota’s all-time record of 71 sacks in a season be in jeopardy?
Coupled with star edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, as well as ascending second-year player Dallas Turner, the Vikings have arguably the top front in the NFL. Drake Maye and the Patriots clearly had all they could handle in Eagan, and all but confirmed this unit is going to be one to fear. While training camp is not the be-all end-all, it’s a strong sign that U.S. Bank Stadium will be rocking in 2025.