Vikings Coaches Tease More Run for a Rookie

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

In April, all Minnesotan eyes were on the draft and the potential arrival of a new franchise quarterback. Folks debated which passer they wanted and weighed potential trades and the possible massive future costs. Ultimately, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah only traded up one spot to pick J.J. McCarthy, giving him an opportunity also to land defender Dallas Turner.

Vikings Coaches Tease More Run for a Rookie

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy makes a pass against Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner during the first half of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

Turner was expected by many to be the top defender off the board, but with the Falcons making the surprising decision to draft Michael Penix and the Colts preferring UCLA’s Laiatu Latu and the Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy, Turner was the third defensive guy off the board at pick 17 after an expensive trade-up for the Vikings.

With McCarthy’s season-ending knee injury, Turner was the only rookie expected to have a real impact on offense or defense. After three years of productive play at the University of Alabama, that shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Wrong. Through the first seven games of the season, Turner has not made much of an impact, playing on only 85 defensive snaps in six games (he missed the game against the Texans in Week 3 with a knee injury).

In those limited opportunities, Turner registered one sack, six tackles, and one tackle for loss.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a sack with linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The good news, however, is that the 21-year-old will soon get more reps, according to his coaches. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores broadcasted his satisfaction with his first-year player during his presser on Tuesday.

“I think he’s done a great job. I think he’s a young player (with) a bright future. I’ve heard the talk about the snap counts, and I think it’s just hard to make a determination on a player and what he is based on seven games, especially early in his career. He wants to be out there, and we’ll get him out there.”

He then went on to talk about his conversation with Steelers defender Cam Heyward: “I remember talking to Cam just a couple of years ago about his first couple of years. This guy is a future Hall of Famer, he didn’t play very much in his first two years in the league. He was sitting behind some really good players, and it made me think of Dallas. He is also sitting in a room with a lot of good players.”

Ultimately, he promised, “We’re going to get him in a little bit more, certainly, but he’s in a deep room. Dallas Turner is a good player, I’ll say that.”

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Minnesota Vikings
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates his sack with linebacker Jihad Ward (52) against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Turner possesses unique physical tools. His explosiveness is unmatched among the pass rushers on the roster and was highlighted by his 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine.

However, his teammates Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard have been excellent, and there isn’t any reason to change their workload. Longtime backup Patrick Jones is also getting snaps ahead of Turner, and he paid that trust back by tabulating a career-high five sacks so far.

Some concerns came up in the fan base after Thursday’s loss against the Rams. The Vikings couldn’t get to quarterback Matthew Stafford, so why keep the first-rounder off the field? It is kind of strange that he logged only three reps despite the inefficiency on the defensive front. However, he is still only 21 and has some things to learn from a technique standpoint but also when it comes to understanding the game.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell was also asked about Turner and his lack of snaps during his virtual Monday presser.

I think each game is its own, and as far as the total snap counts and things like that, I think it’ll keep progressing for Dallas. He’s doing everything from the standpoint of his preparation and growth on a daily basis that we’re asking of him. And I think you’ll see more and more of Dallas, and I’m very, very excited about having him as part of our team, and that’ll be something that, over the next ten-plus games, I think he’s going to make a big-time impact for us.

Both Flores and O’Connell indicate more snaps for Turner will come soon.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings Training Camp
Aug 2, 2024; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings rookie linebacker Dallas Turner (15) warms up during practice at Vikings training camp in Eagan, MN. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Turner’s next opportunity to make an impact will come on Sunday when his team hosts the Colts. It’s always important to remember that players develop at different speeds, and taking the backseat behind Van Ginkel and Greenard at the age of 21 is nothing to be ashamed of, especially if the pass rush can get back to the dominant version from the first six games of the year.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Pro Football Focus helped with this article.


Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt