The Minnesota Vikings are working hard to assemble a roster with as much talent as possible for the 2025 NFL season. There is still work to do this offseason, and the 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, but the team still has many quality players who should make an impact this season.
It is still that time off the offseason where roster moves are being analyzed without seeing the impact they could have on the field. Lists of the best and worst of everything are being made to get people talking about the upcoming season.
Although none of those lists are a direct route to a Lombardi trophy, seeing your favorite team get praise for their team composition is fun, and it's great when it comes from a national source that is well respected.
Minnesota Vikings linebackers praised in recent Sports Illustrated article
On Friday, Sports Illustrated published an article by Gilberto Manzano and Matt Verderame stating the NFL's best teams at each position group at this point in free agency. Their choice for linebackers was interesting and should interest Minnesota Vikings fans.
"Minnesota essentially built its linebacking corps in one offseason and did an impossibly top-notch job. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah brought in Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to serve as the outside linebackers while Blake Cashman roamed in the middle."Sports Illustrated
It was a lock that a 3-4 defense would be the choice as the best for linebackers since it includes both the middle linebackers and primary edge rushers. The addition of Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Cashman last season were extremely smart moves by Minnesota's general manager and should continue to pay dividends in 2025.
The article doesn't even mention Ivan Pace Jr. An undrafted free agent in 2023 who earned a starting role as a rookie, Pace has started 28 games for the Vikings so far and looks to return as part of the unit again to pair with Cashman in 2025.
Depth at linebacker is also a strength for Minnesota. This offseason's signing of Eric Wilson gives the team an experienced backup, and 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner has the potential to become a future impact player on the edge.
The aggressive defense of Brian Flores should thrive once again in 2025. The Minnesota Vikings reinforced the trenches, which should help the linebackers have more freedom and possibly be more productive.
Hopefully, Sports Illustrated is right about how good the linebackers of the Minnesota Vikings are.