Kevin O’Connell Opens up on Rising Star on Vikings Defense – heavy.com

Kevin O’Connell Opens up on Rising Star on Vikings Defense  heavy.com

The Minnesota Vikings selected edge rusher Dallas Turner to be a difference maker for their defense. It's taken some time for the 2024 first-round pick to succeed, but to begin 2026, he's really starting to flourish. Turner had another strong outing against an NFC North rival Sunday. Versus the Chicago Bears, Turner posted five total tackles, including two for loss. He also had four quarterback hits and two sacks. The third-year edge rusher already has three sacks in just two games. The effort Sunday ignited the Vikings defense against the Bears. In Week 1, Chicago had 59 points. Just a week later on Sunday, the Vikings defeated the Bears 9-3. After the victory, Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell addressed Turner's ascension to begin the 2026 campaign.

"I was really excited about the type of player that we would have in Dallas and how that would fit with hose we were going to play defense and his ascension is as expected, and the work he put in and the growth he's had," O'Connell told reporters. "You still love to see it. "You love to see it happening right before your very eyes, and it's just an awesome moment." Vikings' Dallas Turner Gets Praise From Kevin O'Connell Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell addressed Dallas Turner's rise to stardom after another strong