The Minnesota Vikings had plenty of interceptions in 2025 – on offense, anyway. Defense was another story. Brian Flores’ unit snagged only eight total INTs, which was tied for 27th in the league. For all the pressure and chaos the defense created, it didn’t lead to as many turnovers as one would’ve hoped.
The 2026 version of this defense once again lacks a true ball hawk, and that might be the singular reason the group stops short of becoming elite.
Regardless of personnel, there’s absolutely zero question that Flores will find ways to dial up pressure and get to the quarterback. The Vikings could probably roll out a front that consists of an unknown CFL player, a pair of thirtysomething defensive tackles, and a guy nicknamed “Gink” and still stack sacks all day. Now, with an injection of youth up front and Dallas Turner ready to break out, the quarterbacks will fall steadily once again in 2026.
With all that pressure, though, you’d expect some errant throws, a few tipped passes, and, typically, interceptions on the back end. That plan worked to perfection in 2024, when the Vikings nabbed a league-best 24 interceptions. But after losing Camryn Bynum to free agency and Harrison Smith applying for an AARP card, the defense lost the element of a dynamic thief in the secondary.
Kevin O’Connell’s win percentage when coming out ahead in the turnover battle is well over 80%. While that seems like stating the obvious, it’s a clear recipe for winning games. Limiting giveaways is one thing, but taking the ball away is equally important, and the Vikings may not have the horses to get it done this year.
Smith could theoretically return. Still, it’s clear his value now lies in being a leader and a savvy veteran who may not be the same playmaker — even if he’s never out of position. His days of notching five or six picks a year are in the past.
Byron Murphy Jr. is the example most fans will point to as our resident ball hawk after grabbing three, six, and then two interceptions in his three seasons in Minnesota. And while the numbers are impressive at first glance, a closer look reveals a player potentially just getting picked on.
Take 2024 for example. Murphy notched six picks, but was also the most-targeted defender in all of the NFL with a whopping 119 targets. That’s just a 0.5% interception rate, and well below the nearly 1% rate of the elite ball-hawking cornerbacks.
Isaiah Rodgers showed some promise in Week 3 last year against the Cincinnati Bengals when he exploded with an interception and two forced fumbles, and then proceeded to fall off the face of the planet for the remainder of the season. With just four career picks, it’s still tough to see him emerging as the guy this year either.
Josh Metellus and the remaining safety group certainly aren’t known for their ball-hawking prowess, and neither Eric Wilson nor Blake Cashman snagged a pick from their linebacker spot either. That’s not to say any of them can’t develop some spidey senses for a game or two, but to expect them to be around the ball consistently is a big ask.
However, there is one man who may hold the fate of the Vikings in his sneaky hands. Despite playing just 12 games in 2025, Andrew Van Ginkel led the team in passes defended with 10. A tipped ball and “Gink-Six” machine, the Vikings will need all of his unique play style to survive in 2026.
As ridiculous and maybe even as horrifying as it sounds, Minnesota’s best bet at finding a ball hawk is with their 31-year-old edge rusher.
Gink has three interceptions over the past two seasons from his edge-rushing spot, and it realistically should be more had he not bobbled a few of them. But that ability may be hampered this season by one potential problem.
After Van Ginkel and Turner, the options at edge diminish quickly. Short of a late free-agent signing, the Vikings are going to rely on those two heavily to generate pressure. If Minnesota is forced to send Van Ginkel after the quarterback more often, it will limit his ability to drop back and step in front of a lazy slant or screen pass.
While the defense figures to be very good again this season, the biggest weakness will be their inability to generate turnovers. Although those can occasionally be based on luck, and there easily could be a few more balls bounce Minnesota’s way this year, it’s clear the roster is missing a true game-changer on that front. Time will tell if it ends up being the Vikings’ Achilles heel.
