The Minnesota Vikings are banking on continuity in their defense this season, retaining most of last year’s core while bolstering the unit with big-name additions like Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. One notable change? Theo Jackson will be stepping into a larger role following the offseason departure of Camryn Bynum in free agency.
“Losing Beezy wasn’t easy,” said defensive coordinator Brian Flores after Tuesday’s practice. “He was a big part of what we did, but we believe Theo’s ready. He’s already showing us he can handle the job.”
With Bynum gone, Minnesota doesn’t just lose a productive safety — they also lose their unofficial lead dancer. Last season, the defense bonded off the field by choreographing post-practice dance routines, planning celebration moves, and building a sense of chemistry that translated directly into their on-field performance.
“They really connected through those moments,” Flores recalled. “I’m not sure what it’ll look like this year, but we’re already talking about how to keep that energy going.”
Flores, known for his composed demeanor and tactical mind, isn’t one to lead the dance circle — but he’s all for the team having fun. “That’s not me,” he said. “I’m always thinking about the next play. But I get joy from watching them enjoy the game.”
This hands-off, player-first approach is central to Flores’ philosophy. His custom-built defensive schemes are tailored to his roster, encouraging players to give feedback, suggest adjustments, and take ownership. He spends late nights watching tape, searching for ways to unlock each player’s full potential.
And it’s working. While the offense, led by Justin Jefferson and Kevin O’Connell, tends to dominate headlines, it was Minnesota’s defense that carried them in 2024. The Vikings ranked second in the league in defensive DVOA, while the offense lagged behind at 18th.
Flores’ reputation for elevating overlooked talent continues to grow. During his time in Miami, he helped develop Andrew Van Ginkel, a fifth-round pick who blossomed into a Pro Bowler. Flores later brought him to Minnesota, where Van Ginkel earned a one-year, $23 million extension.
Byron Murphy Jr., once passed over by Arizona due to injury concerns, has thrived under Flores’ system, earning his first Pro Bowl and a two-year, $66 million extension this offseason.
Then there’s Josh Metellus, drafted late in 2020 by a previous regime. Flores turned him into a Swiss army knife on defense — so versatile, in fact, that assigning him a market value is tricky. Metellus is at minicamp but sitting out of on-field drills to avoid injury, spending his time building connections with the team’s new faces instead.
“Real communication grows from real relationships,” Flores explained. “It happens in the locker room, over meals, during team outings — not just in meetings or on the field. That’s where the trust gets built, and that’s what shows up on game days.”
Flores wants more than just a disciplined defense — he wants a unit where players celebrate each other’s successes and play with passion. He and his staff are emphasizing that message this summer: play hard, play smart, and celebrate each other — while Flores quietly plans the next move from the sideline.
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