A Massive Vikings Investment Has Already Paid Off
In 2024, the Minnesota Vikings had one of the top defenses in the NFL by various metrics. Brian Flores retooled the scheme when he was hired in 2023 and quickly turned the horrendous unit around. One of the annoying weaknesses, however, had been the defensive line. In the past offseason, the front office provided the defensive coordinator with some reinforcements.
A Massive Vikings Investment Has Already Paid Off
Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery were let go in free agency, and to replace them, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed a pair of former Pro Bowlers in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. The goal was to provide some extra pass rush from the inside. Minnesota’s group had not been able to provide much in the passing game from that spot.
Adofo-Mensah revealed his plan to upgrade the unit in February.
“To play January football, there’s a certain way you’ve got to play. You’ve got to be able to control the ball and be able to get after the passer with just four. We need to get better and will,” Adofo-Mensah told the media at the annual draft combine.
And then he did just that. On Monday, the veteran duo started their Vikings chapters, and they got to chase Caleb Williams, who has a retooled offensive line to provide him with more protection. Hargrave and Allen still found a way to pressure the young passer, as they combined for 13 QB pressures (Hargrave 7; Allen 6) and 10 QB hurries (5 each).
Just to put that in perspective, last year’s starter, Bullard, had 6 QB pressures and 4 QB hurries. Not in one game, in the entire season, including the playoffs. Harrison Phillips had 16 pressures and 11 hurries throughout the year.
It is only fair to note that both of those guys primarily feast in the running game, and the Vikings had an elite running defense in part because of them. But they still logged over 600 combined snaps in the passing game; Allen and Hargrave combined for 69 in Week 1.
Allen made three tackles but failed to record any splashy plays. Hargrave, meanwhile, secured two sacks, five tackles, and two tackles for loss.
The latter signed a two-year contract worth $30 million. That’s a giant investment for a player who is already 32 years old. Furthermore, he missed all but three games of the 2024 season with a partially torn triceps. Still, he is just two years removed from recording seven sacks with the 49ers, and he had 11 sacks with the Eagles in 2022. With the recent two takedowns in Week 1, Hargrave’s career sack count now stands at 47.5.
Allen agreed to a three-year deal worth $51 million. He also missed time in 2024 after suffering a torn pec, but he returned for Washington’s playoff run. The defender is 30 years old and has recorded 42 career sacks.
In addition to those two standout players, the Vikings employ a plethora of rotational guys who made Phillips expendable, despite his solid play in the past three years, and allowed them to trade him to the New York Jets.
Jalen Redmond is technically a starter, while Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Levi Drake Rodriguez provide more depth from the bench. Undrafted rookie Elijah Williams, who impressed in the preseason and earned a spot on the 53-man roster, missed the game injured.
Rodriguez and Ingram-Dawkins had one QB pressure each, while Ingram-Dawkins had a goose egg in that department, but he only rushed five times and still made a solid NFL debut.
It’s still too early for any final conclusions, but so far, the hefty investment has been well worth it. Allen and Hargrave will go after Michael Penix Jr. in the upcoming game. Against star running back Bijan Robinson, they will also get tested on the ground.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.