Kevin O’Connell Highlights 2 Packers Defenders
The Minnesota Vikings are 13-2, a feat nobody expected when quarterback Kirk Cousins left the building for the last time in March. Sam Darnold was signed and has turned into one of the better QBs in the entire league, likely earning himself a significant salary in the upcoming free-agency period.
Kevin O’Connell Highlights 2 Packers Defenders
He was one of numerous free-agent additions who have worked out for the Vikings. Besides him, the front office acquired defenders Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman, completely overhauling the defensive front.
The Green Bay Packers, meanwhile, have invested heavily into their front seven in recent drafts, selecting various pass rushers, interior defenders, and linebackers for significant draft capital.
Over the years, that pays dividends, especially when paired with a defender who has been in that locker room for ages. Head coach Kevin O’Connell was asked about Green Bay’s pass rush, especially because the club shipped away Preston Smith ahead of the trade deadline, and he seems to have a ton of respect for a pair of defenders: Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark.
“Ultimately, anytime Rashan Gary is on the field, you always have to have a real mindset of making sure he doesn’t wreck the game,” O’Connell said. “Never forget about Kenny Clark inside. Every time we play him, I shake his hand after a game and tell him, ‘You’re one of the most underrated football players in our entire league. I got a ton of respect for you.'”
Clark has been Garrett Bradbury’s nemesis. He can’t seem to produce a solid game against the veteran defender who joined the Packers in the first round of the 2016 draft ‒ a few picks after the Vikings selected Laquon Treadwell.
The UCLA product has played in 138 games with the green rivals, registering 35 sacks and 414 tackles. He is a force against the run and can push the pocket in the passing game. In his 17 games against the Vikings, Clark has tabulated eight sacks.
He has been to three Pro Bowls (2019, 2021, and 2023), and it arguably should’ve been more than that. He will once again meet a Vikings offensive line that struggles on the interior, anchored by Bradbury. Dalton Risner and Blake Brandel flank the center.
The offensive tackles will also face a tough challenge. Gary, the 12th overall pick from 2019, had a slow start to his career. With more playing time in his third season, however, Gary’s athleticism prevailed, and he turned into the threat on the edge the Packers hoped for.
A torn ACL slowed him down in 2022, but he bounced back in 2023, and the Packers signed him to a huge contract extension. In 88 career games (57 starts), Gary has collected 35 sacks.
Most of his snaps come on against the right tackle. Because the Vikings employ Brian O’Neill on the right side and Cam Robinson is solid but not quite Christian Darrisaw on the left side, it makes sense to have him go after Robinson.
It will be vital to keep the pass rush in check. Green Bay doesn’t have anyone with more than Gary’s 6.5 sacks, but they have numerous threats on the field at any time.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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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