2018 Season Preview: Is the Vikings’ defense even better?

Time for a re-birth of the Purple People Eaters?

Throughout their history, the Vikings have been lucky enough to be home to some of the greatest defensive linemen to ever play in the NFL. Guys like Alan Page, John Randle, Chris Doleman, Carl Eller, and Jared Allen have all been seen terrorizing opposing quarterbacks while wearing a purple and gold uniform.

Eller and Page were part of a Minnesota defensive line in the 1960s and 70s that is infamously known as the “Purple People Eaters”. Together, they helped lead the Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances from 1969 to 1976.

Since their last time in a Super Bowl, Minnesota has seen its share of talented defensive lines. But none were as accomplished as the Purple People Eaters.

Perhaps that is something that will change in 2018.

The Vikings are entering the upcoming regular season with a defensive line group that features young monster in Danielle Hunter, a guy with something to prove in Sheldon Richardson, a hungry animal in Linval Joseph, and a sack daddy in Everson Griffen.

If everything goes according to plan in 2018, this current Minnesota defensive line could end up being one of the franchise’s best since the days of Eller and Page.

The addition of Richardson this year is what could really shift this season’s group into becoming one of the most elite defensive lines in team history. His presence on the field is likely going to create a lot more one-on-one matchups for Griffen, Hunter, and Joseph, which should cause opposing quarterbacks to lose some sleep at night.

Is it premature to already be comparing this year’s defensive line with the greatest group of pass rushers in Vikings history? Of course, but daydreaming about the sky-scraping potential of the 2018 unit isn’t going to hurt anyone.