The Vikings entered 2025 excited to see what their returning Pro Bowl tandem of outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel could do together.

Injuries, however, limited the duo to being on the field together in just seven games. The silver lining of Van Ginkel missing time early with a neck injury and Greenard suffering a season-ending shoulder injury was the playing time during which sophomore pass rusher Dallas Turner took a big step forward.

Turner, whom the Vikings drafted 17^th overall in 2024, showed strides in his game (both mentally and physically) after an up-and-down rookie campaign. Turner impressed during training camp, showing off a stronger physique and better grasp of technique to fit into Brian Flores' defense. And though he did still experience some level of growing pains starting the season, Turner flashed on numerous occasions and filled in admirably for both Van Ginkel and Greenard at various times.

Bo Richter returned for his second season after joining the Vikings as an undrafted free agent. He saw a small increase in defensive production, and he also contributed on five of six special teams phases.

General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings once again mined the UDFA pool and landed Tyler Batty and Chaz Chambliss, two passionate, tough, aggressive football players. Batty got some spotlight in Week 7 against the Eagles, when the rookie was asked to lie down parallel with the line of scrimmage in effort to stop Philadelphia's "Tush Push" special.

He and Chambliss were called on sparingly on defense, but when active (12 games apiece), they appeared on fix (Chambliss) and six (Batty) special teams phases for Matt Daniels.

Notable Numbers

402 – Turner played a whopping 402 more snaps during his second season than he did as a rookie in 2024. He saw big jumps in all stat categories, including 15 quarterback hits (five in 2024) and 11 tackles for loss (three as a rookie).

47 – Greenard's sack numbers dropped off from 2024, but don't let that fool you; he still consistently affected opposing quarterbacks. He led Minnesota in pressures with 47 and received a PFF grade of 77.6 in pass rush. Turner was next with 42 pressures, and inside linebacker Eric Wilson generated 37.

81.5 – Analytics site Pro Football Focus gave Van Ginkel a coverage grade of 81.5 for the 2025 season, which ranked seventh highest among all edge defenders (with a minimum number of coverage snaps). The grade also marks Van Ginkel's second-highest career coverage rating. (He recorded an 87.3 for Miami in 2023).

Regular-season statistics

What a week for Gink'

Van Ginkel had quite the holiday week to finish out December.

On Christmas Day, he helped the Vikings defeat the division-rival Lions — during which he recovered two fumbles and delivered them to his nephew and oldest son, respectively, in the stands.

Van Ginkel was highlighted postgame by former Dolphins teammate and analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick ("Ginkel, Ginkel, you're a star!") and received one of the Santa Claus-esque holiday robes presented by the broadcast team.

Less than 24 hours later, Van Ginkel and his wife Samantha welcomed their third son, Truett Wilder.

Congrats to the Van Ginkel fam!

The Highest High

Turner ended his sophomore season on a high note.

The 22-year-old (Turner turns 23 on Feb. 2) showed up multiple times during Minnesota's season-finale Border Battle, helping the Vikings earn their fifth straight win and wrap the season 9-8. Turner recorded a strip sack of Packers QB Clayton Tune in the first quarter, then sacked him again in the third quarter, dropping him for a 7-yard loss.

Turner added six tackles, two tackles for loss and two QB hits to a banner day.

The Lowest Low

A season removed from starting all 17 regular-season games and a playoff contest apiece, and receiving Pro Bowl nods, Greenard and Van Ginkel each missed five games due to injury in 2025.

In games the Vikings had both OLBs (@CHI, CIN, @DET, BAL, @SEA, WAS, @DAL), they were 5-2, losing only to the Ravens and Seahawks in those contests.

Thankfully, Minnesota didn't face a single game where both Greenard and Van Ginkel were unavailable; but in a season with lots of "what ifs," one can't help but wonder how the dynamic duo at full strength would have impacted the season's outcome.

2 Pressing Questions for 2026

1. What will Turner produce in Season 3?

It's been well-documented above that Turner took some major strides from Year 1 to Year 2. What can fans expect from the pass rusher in his third season?

During the Vikings locker room cleanout day, Turner spoke with Twin Cities media members and credited "just another year of experience under the belt" for his uptick in production.

"Knowing what to expect. Knowing how to manage certain things and knowing how to rush in certain situations … down-and-distance wise," he said. "And just having a better sense of awareness in Year 2 than I did in Year 1. That's credit to the [coaching staff] for preparing me the right way and preparing me in the best way to be ready to execute at a very high level on Sundays."

Hearing Turner's evaluation and seeing how he improved his game — and the I.Q. behind it — all eyes will be watching as he ramps up for the 2026 campaign.

2. How will OLB snaps be distributed in 2026?

Even with the injuries to Greenard and Van Ginkel last season, there was a tremendous drop-off in snap counts from Greenard + Van Ginkel + Turner to Richter, Chambliss and Batty.

The Vikings didn't ask much defensively from the latter trio of players, who also contributed on special teams, and they didn't necessarily need to. With all three "starters" (Head Coach Kevin O'Connell uses that term for Greenard, Van Ginkel and Turner) still under contract for 2026, I'm really intrigued by the upcoming offseason and how Minnesota's leadership approaches the outside linebacker position. Will the team add anyone else to the group through free agency or the draft, or will the Vikings focus on continuing to develop Richter, Chambliss and Batty?

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