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(Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings‘ defense was a bright spot for the team during the 2025 NFL season, which didn’t make the playoffs. Nonetheless, the Vikings ended the previous campaign on a five-game win streak, thanks to the defensive unit.
Only the Dallas Cowboys were able to score over 20 points against the defense led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores during that win streak. With Minnesota retaining Flores for next season, this offseason could see new pieces arrive on defense to ensure the unit takes its play to another level.
As for which parts of the defense need improvement, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis believes that defensive tackle will be an area Minnesota targets, and even floated a potential free-agent target.
“Take on a boatload of cap space at quarterback, and the Vikings would need some savvy signings elsewhere,” Lewis wrote in his article published on Feb. 23. “Pay minimally at QB, and the Vikings could try to go big on a defensive lineman, like Denver Broncos defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers (whom The Athletic’s Daniel Popper projected could make around $54 million over three seasons).
“As difficult as it may be to see, there is a path for the Vikings to extend money into the future and invest aggressively over the next two years. This would make for a flurry of activity over the next few weeks.”
Vikings Insider Gives Latest on Team’s Salary Cap Situation
Moreover, the Vikings are currently over the salary cap. Still, Lewis doesn’t expect that situation to stay that way as Minnesota can have once it’s done making certain roster decisions to get them under the salary cap.
“The Vikings are projected to be more than $43 million over the cap,” Lewis added in his article. “The first order of business will be clearing space. Fortunately, Minnesota has a bunch of levers it can pull with player cuts, contract restructures and extensions. The path toward having enough wiggle room to spend on additional talent isn’t treacherous.
“The next phase in answering the question is mostly a conversation of positional priorities. Quarterback takes precedence. Because safeties and centers play essential communication roles, veterans could be the answer at these positions, too. Running back and defensive line would likely be next in line. So, it’s worth looking at potential signings through that prism.”
CBS Sports Expert Believes Minnesota Could Draft a DT
Nonetheless, the Vikings could go the draft route to find a defensive tackle that beefs up the defensive line for Flores. As a result, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson is projecting that the Vikings will be bolstering their defense with the No. 18 overall pick by selecting former Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks.
“[Banks] was injured for much of the season with a foot injury, played early and late in the year, then he went to the Senior Bowl, practiced all three days, and was dominant each day,” Wilson said during a Feb. 16 appearance on CBS Sports HQ.
“He’s a legit 6‑foot‑6, 330 pounds, and has 35‑inch arms. Brian Flores will love having him in the middle of that defense. We just talked about Seattle and how they built their defense. We know what Brian Flores can do with the unit that they have there.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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