EAGAN, Minn. — Training Camp is over, but Dallas Turner is working as hard as ever.

With Week 1 on his mind, he was one of the last Vikings to leave the field after a recent practice. Sweat beads drenched his 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame that is built perfectly for one thing above all: rushing the quarterback.

Turner stayed late after this session to run wind sprints with young defensive linemen Elijah Williams and Jahvaree Ritzie. He's determined to be in tip-top shape for an expanded role after Jonathan Greenard was traded to Philadelphia during the NFL Draft — and he wants to lead.

"[J.G.] definitely played a big role leadership-wise and vocally while he was here in Minnesota, and it rubbed off on a lot of people in a very good way," Turner said after fetching a Gatorade and catching his breath. "It rubbed off on me in a good way, too, just showing me how to lead a group of men the right way. So, I anticipate just stepping up, being more of a leader as the games and years progress."

The 17^th overall pick of 2024 is only 23 years old. He brings 11 sacks in 10 career starts and 33 games into 2026. In total, Turner has produced 86 tackles, 20 QB hits, four forced fumbles and an interception. Impressively, he's flashed tremendous potential while juggling unique roles.

Turner had to learn Greenard's position — the "rush" edge — as well as Andrew Van Ginkel's dual drop-into-coverage-or-attack mode so he could sub for either if necessary. Now, he can zero in...

On assignments in Brian Flores' scheme, which excels with high-IQ players — and on quarterbacks.

Among other things, D.T. reflected on his development to be great and his Vikings mentors in this Q&A.

Q: What is a skill you have honed during your time here?

A: I feel like what I developed the most is an awareness sense, playing on defense, kind of knowing what to anticipate by formation, situation and just overall awareness of the game of football.

Q: How would you describe your confidence level right now?

A: As long as I put my mind to it and work for it and am prepared for any situation, I [believe] that a win is inevitable. So, honestly, I'm just focusing on being more consistent at the good things and getting rid of the bad things off my tape — and just fitting the defense as well as I possibly can.

Q: Has your relationship with Flo' grown since you were a rookie?

A: There's definitely a big difference in my relationship with Flo'. You know, just proving to him and proving to the team that I can be a key contributor to this defense and just building unique relationships, like he tells us every single day, and I listen a lot to what he's saying, and also apply what he's saying too. Just going up there talking to him, we'll laugh sometimes — like, my rookie season we weren't really laughing — so nowadays we're laughing, joking, having good conversations, and I really feel like it's a blessing to be coached by a person like that just because of the fact that his standard is so high. When you have a coach that has high standards and you have a player that has high standards, the synergy and togetherness, it's just something that's unbreakable when you have a coach and player relationship that looks eye-to-eye. So, I really feel confident as a player having Flo' as my coach. It's really just a blessing to be under his wing.

Q: How did Greenard help you come into your own in your first two seasons?

A: If I didn't have J.G. my rookie year, I probably wouldn't be where I am mentally, physically and spiritually. I feel like he played a big role in my career — honestly, just being a big brother for me that I never really had before. He put me onto a lot of game (tips and tricks) when it comes to being in the NFL and just specifically being a young player in the NFL trying to make a name for myself.

Q: The other vet you've learned a lot from … what makes Gink' one of the greats?

A: Gink's special as hell. Gink' is very smart — the highest of the highest awareness when it comes to the game of football. Always one step ahead. Always prepared for anything that you throw at him. It's kind of ironic. When I was in college, I used to watch [film of] Gink' a lot — Gink' and J.G. I just so happened to be on the same team as the two players I used to watch primarily when I was in college. So, I'd be stupid not to be a sponge and just pick his brain. We sit next to each other in the locker room every day. We joke, laugh and talk ball all the time. I really feel like just being a part of his career is very special and very honoring and humbling in my point of view. Having that type of ball knowledge, as a resource and as a teammate more importantly, you know, just when I line up and I look over there and I see him, I just know that he's got my back. Just like how I got his back.

Let's wrap with two fun ones.

Q: What have you learned about the Vikings-Packers rivalry?

A: It's similar to an SEC rivalry. It's a mutual respect thing. They're a very well-coached team, a very talented team, and it's a lot of competition. Week 1 at U.S. Bank Stadium, you know, it's going to be rocking. It's going to be a lot of noise, a lot of atmosphere. It's going to be deep. I feel like the rivalry might be bigger here than it is in college, to be honest, with the Alabama-Auburn, Alabama-Tennessee, and games like that. It's that same feeling. But it's a higher magnitude because we play in the National Football League.

Q: Lastly, what uniform is your favorite to wear?

A: The Classics, for sure. Since I've been here, they are my favorite. I actually want the Classics to be the main uniforms, if you ask me. I really feel like that purple with the gray facemask and the yellow flares, I feel like you really can't beat it.

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