Vikings Rumors: Record-Breaking Pace, Reinforcements, and The Horrible Harry Prophecy
Since we’re officially into the portion of the year when Vikings rumors are ramping up, we’ll be highlighting some of the purple rumblings.
The “Vikings Rumor Wrangle” is a series that keeps readers informed on what’s being whispered about in Vikings Land. In this iteration, we discuss Minnesota being on a record-breaking pace, the team welcoming reinforcements soon, and the Harrison Phillips prophecy.
Vikings Rumors: 09.18.2024
Rumor #1 — The Vikings Are on Pace to Smash an NFL Record
Yes, that’s true, but it’s still insanely early. Minnesota has only played a couple of games, so let’s give it a bit more time.
Even still, it’s encouraging to see the Vikings lead the league with 11 team sacks. The 2023 season resulted in Minnesota piling up a humdrum sack total: just 43. The somewhat modest amount was largely driven by Danielle Hunter’s massive total — 16.5 — and then D.J. Wonnum’s, too — 8. Minnesota finished in a tie for 19th in the NFL.
Fast forward a year and things are looking quite a bit different.
Already, Minnesota sits at 11 sacks. The current pace would have the Vikings exceeding last year’s 43 sacks after just eight games. If, somehow, Minnesota continued to sack the QB 5.5 times per game, then they would finish the year with a mind-boggling 93.5 sacks. Or, put differently, either 93 or 94 sacks.
The record for most sacks in a single season belongs to the 1984 Bears, a team that put up a staggering 72. The 1989 Vikings actually come in at second with 71 and the 2022 Eagles tie the 1987 Bears with 70 apiece.
Minnesota’s pace is going to cool off. No teams has ever climbed past the low 70s, not even the Bears teams of the 1980s, so expecting Minnesota to get into the 90s is foolhardy. The point is simply that Brian Flores has his front playing well, so enjoy the disruptiveness while it lasts.
Rumor #2 — The Vikings Have Reinforcements Coming
At this point, a fully operational Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones would feel like a win for Week 3. Any chance it happens?
The reminder about reinforcements comes courtesy of Dustin Baker on Vikings Territory. Baker points toward the eventual return of guard Dalton Risner, tight end T.J. Hockenson, and receiver Jordan Addison. No doubt, seeing all three back and operating at 100% will be a welcome sight in Eagan.
The unique one in the mix is Addison, who isn’t on the IR or the PUP. Instead, he’s operating on a week-to-week basis as he tries to recover from the ankle injury that he sustained in the Week 1 win over the Giants. Getting him onto the field has a twofold benefit: there’s less heat on Justin Jefferson and there’s another dynamic target for Mr. Darnold.
Baker’s final thought: “Darnold cooked without Addison on Sunday versus the San Francisco 49ers, but eventually, he’ll need Jefferson and Addison to avoid any possible ruts. Addison’s Week 3 status will likely be determined on Friday, September 20th.”
Rumor #3 — The Vikings Have Found a Way to Decrease Harrison Phillips’ Snaps
Turn back the clock by several months. Kevin O’Connell was chatting with the media at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting and he made the offhand comment that Harrison Phillips was going to see his snaps decrease. The question that inevitably arose was how.
After all, Minnesota didn’t exactly crush free agency when it came to adding defensive tackle talent. Jerry Tillery was brought in (he made the team) and then there was Jonah Williams (he got added to the practice squad). Otherwise, there was rumored interest in Christian Wilkins (now a Raider) and then the decision to re-sign Jonathan Bullard (solid but unspectacular).
Even still, O’Connell talked about the ideal setup. In a perfect world, Phillips could take few more snaps off so that he would be fresher throughout the season: “HP had a great year, probably played a little bit too much for us, and we’d like to bring that snap count down a little bit.” Again, how?
Well, the answer arose elsewhere in O’Connell’s answer. The talent at edge rusher is what’s making the difference.
One thinks of Jihad Ward, in particular. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 285 pounds, Ward has the size to kick inside on obvious passing downs. Doing so allows for Phillips to come off the field in those moments, catching his breath and keeping his legs fresh for more obvious running downs, Phillips’ specialty. Plus, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, Dallas Turner, and Patrick Jones are all being moved around the line. Doing so helps takes work off the plate of the defensive linemen.
Oh, and one other factor. UDFA rookie Taki Taimani has soaked up a few snaps, giving Minnesota a bit more size.
Add it all together and Harrison Phillips is down at 57% of the defense’s snaps, well below last year’s 74%. The man is still a starter and still getting most of the work, but there’s potential for him to be a bit fresher as things proceed through a gruelling season.
O’Connell is likely pleased with that development, especially since Mr. Phillips is signed through to 2026 on his brand-new extension.
Phillips is 28.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, StatMuse, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.
