As the Minnesota Vikings gear up for the 2025 NFL season, one question looms large: Can Brian Flores’ defense take the team to new heights? On The Real Forno Show, hosted by Tyler Forness with producer Dave Stefano, the duo, joined by Locked On Vikings’ Luke Braun, dissects the potential evolution of Flores’ defensive schemes. With training camp just weeks away, this episode offers a tantalizing preview of what could be the NFL’s most dynamic defense. From the Bengal Hawk in 2023 to the NASCAR package in 2024, Flores has a knack for innovation. This episode is a must-listen for Vikings fans eager to understand how Flores might outsmart opponents in 2025, making it a compelling dive into strategy, personnel, and the X-factor that could propel Minnesota to 14 wins.

Unpacking Flores’ Defensive Vision

A Legacy of Adaptation

Brian Flores has never been one to rest on his laurels. As Forness notes, “Every year there always seems to be a little bit of a change. Sometimes that little change can end up being massive.” In 2023, the Bengal Hawk scheme confused quarterbacks with its zone-heavy approach, though it eventually exposed soft spots. In 2024, the NASCAR package—emphasizing speed and edge pressure—helped elevate the Vikings’ defense to new heights. Now, with the 2025 season approaching, Forness and Braun speculate on what’s next.

Forness proposes a bold idea: a five-man front featuring edge rushers and linebackers like Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Ivan Pace Jr., and Blake Cashman. “It’s kind of what he was trying to do in Miami with the Amoeba defense,” Forness explains. “Who’s gonna drop and who’s gonna come? All of them can do everything.” This versatility could make it nearly impossible for offenses to predict the Vikings’ moves, creating chaos in the backfield.

Braun, drawing from Flores’ time with the Patriots under Bill Belichick, elaborates on the structural flexibility. “The idea was always, everybody knows exactly what to do from every position, which allows everything to be a wrinkle,” he says. This customizable approach means the Vikings can adapt their personnel and play calls on the fly, whether in base or third-down packages. The result? A defense that’s as unpredictable as it is relentless.

Key Players and Roles

The discussion zeroes in on how Flores might deploy his personnel. Forness suggests that Javon Hargrave, a high-profile acquisition, could play a rotational role rather than starting. “He’s 32 years old… We’re going to deploy you when it’s smart,” Forness says, envisioning Hargrave as a pass-rushing specialist for third-down situations. Meanwhile, Jalen Redmond could anchor base downs, leveraging his ability to hold gaps and handle double teams.

Braun counters that Hargrave’s value lies in drawing double teams, freeing up others for one-on-one matchups. “If you’re Javon Hargrave and you eat two linemen and everybody else gets to be one-on-one because of you, you’ll take that,” he says. However, he cautions that Hargrave struggles against doubles, making his deployment situational.

The edge rusher group, including Van Ginkel, Turner, and Jonathan Greenard, is another focal point. Forness highlights Van Ginkel’s coverage skills, noting he dropped into coverage on 212 of 973 snaps in 2024 (over 20%). “Van Ginkel dropping into coverage is a genuine weapon,” Braun agrees, emphasizing how his versatility forces offenses to account for him constantly. Turner, a 2024 first-round pick, could mirror this role, adding speed and athleticism to the front.

Defensive Depth and Dark Horses

The episode also explores the battle for roster spots among defensive linemen like Taki Taimani, Jalen Redmond, and Levi Drake Rodriguez. Forness and Braun agree that Redmond likely has a leg up after a strong 2024, but Rodriguez’s pass-rush potential makes him a wildcard. “Theoretically, Drake Rodriguez has a pass rush upside,” Forness notes, though he acknowledges Taimani’s run-stopping prowess. Braun adds, “It’s choose two of Taki Taimani, Jalen Redmond, and Levi Drake Rodriguez… It’s who plays best.”

Another intriguing prospect is Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, a former five-star recruit. Forness suggests he could play a hybrid role, setting the edge on base downs. However, Braun is skeptical, arguing that Ingram-Dawkins is better suited inside. “His pass rush around the edge is not NFL caliber,” Braun says, advocating for a defensive tackle role where he can shoot gaps effectively.

In the secondary, Theo Jackson emerges as a potential replacement for Cam Bynum. Forness questions whether Jackson will simply fill Bynum’s role or if Flores has bigger plans. “Flores also, as much as we think he should rotate, doesn’t do a lot of rotation,” Forness observes, noting Jackson’s limited snaps in 2024 despite strong camp performances. Braun believes Jackson’s role will mirror Bynum’s, focusing on deep coverage and occasional man assignments, but snap counts will depend on matchups and personnel packages.

Scheme vs. Execution

A recurring theme is how Flores tailors his schemes to opponents. Stefano points out, “He goes, it depends who we’re playing.” Against young quarterbacks like Caleb Williams or Jordan Love, Flores might lean on zone-heavy looks to sow confusion. Against elite passers like Joe Burrow, Braun argues, “You have to be able to man up… You need to play a man coverage that isn’t seven yards off.” The Vikings’ cornerback room, led by Byron Murphy Jr. but filled with unproven starters, remains a concern. “Have they built this cornerback room such that you can do that?” Braun asks, highlighting a potential weakness.

Forness and Braun also discuss the balance between innovation and execution. While Flores’ schemes are creative, their success hinges on players executing at a high level. The 2023 Bengal Hawk faltered when teams exploited its zones, and the 2024 NASCAR package struggled against quick-passing offenses like the Lions and Rams. For 2025, the Vikings must diversify their coverages and trust their personnel to win individual matchups.

Camp Darlings and Future Stars

As the episode winds down, Forness and Braun share their training camp “darlings”—under-the-radar players who could shine. Braun picks running back Tre Stewart, joking, “He’ll rip off some random long run against somebody’s fourth team.” Forness counters with defensive lineman Elijah Williams, an FCS standout with an athletic profile similar to Hargrave’s. “When you produce at any level in college football, it means something,” Forness says, intrigued by Williams’ potential to emerge as a pass-rushing threat.

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Can Flores’ Defense Dominate?

Can Brian Flores’ 2025 defense can dominate the NFL?—In a mix of optimism and caution, Forness, Braun, and Stefano paint a picture of a defense brimming with potential, thanks to Flores’ innovative schemes and a versatile roster. The proposed five-man front, Hargrave’s situational deployment, and players like Van Ginkel and Turner could make the Vikings a nightmare for offenses. However, challenges remain, particularly in the secondary and with unproven depth players.

Flores’ track record suggests he’ll find a way to maximize his talent, as he did with a patchwork unit in 2024. If the Vikings can shore up their cornerback play and execute Flores’ complex schemes, they could indeed dominate. As Forness concludes, “Nobody thought he would take a patchwork defense and make it into one of the better units in the NFL.” With training camp looming, The Real Forno Show leaves fans excited for what’s to come, confident that Flores’ next wrinkle could be the key to a historic season.

FAN WITH US!!!

Our guest Luke Braun of Locked On Vikings @lockedonvikings. Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and its NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.

Question:

Who do you think will be the breakout star of Brian Flores’ 2025 Vikings defense, and what role do you expect them to play? Share your thoughts in the comments below!