Will the Vikings’ defense be better or worse in 2019?

By Nik Edlund | Jul 23, 2019

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) pumped his fist after he sacked Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) in the first quarter at EverBank field Sunday December 11,2016 in Jacksonville, Florida. ] The Vikings played the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Feld. Jerry Holt / jerry. Holt@Startribune.com (Photo By Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter /

They are returning almost every starter

The Vikings’ defense is coming back basically the same way it left the field at the end of the 2018 season.

Minnesota is returning every starter except Sheldon Richardson at the three-technique defensive tackle position. They did replace him with a familiar face in Shamar Stephen, who was with the team from 2014 to 2017.

This Vikings defense is made up of guys who know each other’s tendencies inside and out. They can anticipate what the other will be doing just by having so many reps together over the years.

This familiarity can be especially helpful when they call audibles at the line or notice a certain tell with the opposing offense and need to shift or communicate it quickly to each other.

Having played together for so long these players also form a close personal bond.

Linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr are best friends and guys on the line are especially close and they want to see each other succeed just as much as they want to succeed themselves.

This positive chemistry between the players will only make them better.

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