The Minnesota Vikings are hoping this season goes a lot smoother than last year’s 9-8 campaign, and there are a lot of players who can make it happen.
While many are rightfully fixated on the quarterback battle between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray, there may be a similar turning point happening on the defensive side of the ball between Caleb Banks and Dallas Turner.
Brian Flores doesn’t need much to work with, but there’s a big case that Banks and Turner will take the Vikings as far as they want to go on the defensive end.
With Jonathan Greenard out of the fold at edge rusher and an injection of youth along the interior of the defensive line, the Vikings will need big things out of their young pass-rushing duo or may be doomed to repeat the failures they experienced last season.
Dallas Turner and Caleb Banks could decide how good the Minnesota Vikings defense is in 2026
The Vikings defense should be a favorite to be a top-10 unit and could have top-five upside going into this year. But one of its biggest questions revolves around the pass rush.
While Greenard had his flaws in finishing plays, he was always a consistent source of pressure, generating a 15.8 percent pressure rate in his two seasons in Minnesota, according to PFF.
After trading Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Vikings have rightfully put the spotlight on Turner. But it's unknown as to how he will respond.
After being used sparingly in his rookie season, Turner finished with 8.5 sacks and a 14.5 percent pressure rate on 288 pass-rushing snaps last year, and the theory is that more playing time should increase production.
But the truth is that Turner can’t do it by himself. The interior of the defensive line was a problem last season as Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave struggled to get consistent pressure and start the run, and that’s where Banks is most likely to become an instant contributor.
The selection of Banks in the first round of April’s draft didn’t come without risk as he battled foot injuries dating back to the final months of the 2024 season at Florida.
Those injuries kept him out of the offseason program, but his upside is massive as a 6-foot-6, 327-pound powerhouse with athleticism.
The athleticism could be the thing that Banks gets by on as he learns technique at the professional level, and if he can move defenders to clear a path for Turner or get to the quarterback himself, it will be a massive improvement for the Vikings' defense. But it’s also something the Vikings will need if they want to compete this season.
Minnesota Vikings front seven needs to produce to help their defense
Banks and Turner are also part of a front seven that could determine what happens this season. The linebacker position is stable with Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman, but they’ll need a push up front in order to make plays.
The edge rusher position also remains a big question as they enter training camp, and if Turner and Banks can’t rush the passer, it could put tons of pressure on the secondary.
The Vikings have Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers returning at corner, but free-agent pickup James Pierre is unknown.
The safety position opposite Josh Metellus also has questions and could come down to Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, and rookie Jakobe Thomas if Harrison Smith decides not to return.
In essence, the front seven will need to do their job for the Vikings to succeed, and Turner and Banks bring the best chance for that to happen.
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