Minnesota Vikings Training Camp 2019: Previewing the linebackers

The common thought is that the Minnesota Vikings linebackers had a tough season, but with a little help, they could be in for a rebound year.

The Minnesota Vikings have one of the top defensive units in the National Football League and if you ask people what makes it tick, they’ll give you a couple of quick answers. The defensive line is filled with gems that have been polished up and get pressure on the quarterback even when it doesn’t result in a sack. That allows the secondary, which is coached up by Mike Zimmer, to take advantage and come up with the big stops needed to help get them off the field.

While the battle in the trenches and the big-play ability of the secondary is what draws headlines, the linebackers in Zimmer’s defense almost seems to be forgotten. Last season, the linebackers were one of the main culprits of an early season funk, but straightened itself out to help the Vikings finish fourth in total yards allowed and ninth in scoring defense.

The group also had plenty of drama a year ago when Eric Kendricks got paid during the offseason and Anthony Barr didn’t. That put the actions of Barr under a microscope and nearly spelled the end of his time in Minnesota, but an eleventh-hour deal helped keep the former UCLA duo in purple for the foreseeable future.

This season, the Vikings are hoping that lull won’t happen again as they return the same unit from a year ago with a couple of interesting wrinkles. While the starters are set in stone, the linebacker position will be an interesting battle as several new faces will look to unseat established veterans. All will determine who will take the field this fall as the Vikings sort through training camp.