Kirk Cousins found himself puzzled when facing the Minnesota Vikings’ revamped defense during training camp. Although it wasn’t the first time he encountered such a scheme, he still had to adjust to the new approach. “That type of defense has given many quarterbacks trouble because it puts a lot of pressure on them after the snap,” explained head coach Kevin O’Connell.
“It also challenges the offense’s communication, ensuring everyone remains in sync once the ball is snapped. It really tests the details of our play as an offense, which is why I love practicing against it every day. It forces us to understand our strengths and limitations instead of just reacting to pre-snap looks.”
However, this wasn’t the complex scheme under Brian Flores that many had anticipated. Rather, it was the defense run by Ed Donatell, who employed Vic Fangio’s approach in 2022. While Donatell’s defense didn’t impress in the long run, it did generate excitement when he was hired, as he had previously worked with Fangio.
Despite its struggles, Fangio’s defensive style continues to disrupt top quarterbacks. In Super Bowl 2025, Patrick Mahomes faced immense pressure from the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense, which sacked him six times and hit him 11 times without ever needing to blitz. This allowed the Eagles to drop seven players into coverage, complicating Mahomes’ reads and keeping him off balance.
Ed DonatellThe Eagles dominated, leading 24-0 at halftime, and even though Mahomes rallied late with three touchdowns, it was too little too late. Fangio’s scheme caused significant problems for one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.
Now, the defensive blueprint designed by Fangio may become highly sought after in a copycat league, as teams look to replicate the success of the Eagles. Donatell, who worked under Fangio, could be a candidate for this next wave, though he hasn’t coached in the NFL since being let go by the Vikings in 2022. Despite that, his background under one of the league’s top defensive minds adds some intrigue to his potential future roles.
However, the Vikings have moved away from Donatell’s more passive defense, opting instead for Brian Flores’ aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme. Flores, who has a strong defensive pedigree and ties to O’Connell, could be the future of Minnesota’s defense. While Flores may face hurdles in the form of a lawsuit and past controversies, the Vikings will need to be prepared for any eventuality, including finding the right defensive leader should Flores’ tenure come to an end.
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