The Minnesota Vikings haven’t exactly lit the league on fire this season, but there’s a bright spot emerging on the defensive side of the ball-and his name is Dallas Turner. The second-year edge rusher is starting to look like the player the Vikings envisioned when they traded up to grab him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. And over the last few weeks, Turner hasn’t just been good-he’s been disruptive, explosive, and, most importantly, consistent.
Let’s talk numbers first, because they tell a pretty compelling story. In his last three games, Turner has racked up 12 pressures and four sacks, per Pro Football Focus.
That’s a significant jump from the six games prior, where he managed just 10 pressures and one sack. It’s not just a hot streak-it’s a sign of growth, of a young pass rusher who’s starting to figure things out.
So, what changed?
According to Turner, it all started with a message from Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The advice wasn’t flashy, but it stuck.
“Coach Flores, he taught me something when I first got here,” Turner said. “One of my first couple weeks [he said] to get to the splash plays, you know, to the things that everybody likes, the glamour and stuff like that, you got to get gritty first. You got to get down in the dirt to get sexy.”
That mindset-embracing the grind before chasing the glory-has become a cornerstone of Turner’s approach. And it’s paying off.
What’s especially encouraging for Minnesota is that Turner’s breakout has come against some of the league’s top teams. His recent performances came against the Bears, Packers, and Seahawks-three offenses that have been among the more effective units this season.
That context matters. It’s one thing to rack up sacks against struggling offensive lines; it’s another to do it against playoff-caliber opponents.
But it’s not just about Turner suddenly flipping a switch. The Vikings have made some quiet but important adjustments in how they’re using him-and those changes have made a real difference.
Early in the season, Turner was rushing the passer on just over 71 percent of the passing downs he was on the field for. That’s a solid workload, but it also meant he was being asked to do a little bit of everything-dropping into coverage, playing contain, filling gaps.
Since Minnesota’s bye in Week 7, though, that number has jumped to over 82 percent. In other words, the Vikings are letting Turner do what he does best: get after the quarterback.
And the results speak for themselves.
More reps, more freedom to attack, and a clearer role have all helped Turner settle in. He’s playing faster, more decisively, and with a level of confidence that wasn’t as evident earlier in the season. He’s not just reacting anymore-he’s dictating.
For a Vikings team that’s still trying to find its identity this season, Turner’s development is a major win. He’s starting to look like the kind of player you build a defense around-relentless off the edge, disciplined in his assignments, and hungry to improve.
And perhaps the most exciting part? He’s just getting started.
Minnesota gambled when they moved up to draft Turner. Now, that investment is beginning to pay off. If this is the version of Dallas Turner the Vikings can count on going forward, they may have found themselves a cornerstone on defense for years to come.