The Minnesota Vikings boasted one of the league’s best defenses in 2024. Despite ranking 3rd in EPA/play allowed, the Vikings were aggressive in signing defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to bolster their interior pass rush.
On the second day of padded practices, the Vikings’ defense dominated. Several Vikings reporters noted the havoc they witnessed. Ben Goessling of The Star Tribune said that practice ended with safety Jay Ward intercepting a pass.
#Vikings’ second padded practice was a tour de force for the defense. It ended with Theo Jackson picking off Sam Howell, who became the fourth Vikings QB to be picked off today. Pressure, PBUs, TFLs and sacks throughout the day, too.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) July 30, 2025
Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated cautioned fans that it may be difficult to properly evaluate the Vikings’ offense because of what they’re going up against every day.
We saw another period today where the first-team defense gave the first-team offense (sans Jefferson and Darrisaw) the business. Relentless pressure.
It’s hard to evaluate the offense in the context of how ridiculous this defense is.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) July 30, 2025
Finally, Alec Lewis of The Athletic chimed in as well, highlighting the cohesiveness of the three top EDGE rushers.
The Vikings’ defense is just on an entirely different level right now. You have Jonathan Greenard and Dallas Turner synced up in their celebrations, you have Andrew Van Ginkel obliterating folks. It’s very one-sided.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 30, 2025
To be fair, defenses are usually ahead of offenses this time of year. Add in J.J. McCarthy handling starting quarterback duties for the first time, and it’s easy to see why the defense would be getting the best of the offense.
But the level of domination the Vikings’ defense is playing with appears to be palpable. We still don’t have full tackle drills going on, and practices don’t count like games. But it’s encouraging to hear that the Vikings’ defense looks poised to be as good, if not better, than the 2024 version.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings’ defense is ready to be challenged after dominant practice