Andrew Van Ginkel took two quick steps forward to fake a pass rush, then backpedaled to the left, anticipating that Aaron Rodgers would throw a quick slant with an unblocked blitzer coming in fast.
The trick that defensive coordinator Brian Flores taught the Minnesota Vikings worked so well that even Rodgers, a four-time MVP known for his smart play, was fooled.
Rodgers threw the ball right into Van Ginkel’s area, and the sixth-year outside linebacker perfectly timed his jump to catch it and ran 63 yards for a touchdown.
This play helped the Vikings secure a 23-17 victory over the New York Jets last week in London. Later in the game, during a break between plays, Rodgers told Van Ginkel, “Christmas came early.” This group of 2024 free agents for Minnesota has truly been a valuable addition.
Van Ginkel is one of several successful newcomers carefully chosen by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, coach Kevin O’Connell, and their teams, especially Flores, as great fits for the team.
They have played a big part in the Vikings winning their first five games, entering their bye week as one of only two unbeaten teams in the league and a surprising success story.
“I thought the communication from the coaching staff to Kwesi and his team about bringing these players in was really strong.
It shows what we’ve built here, allowing that kind of communication, and it also comes down to having smart, tough players who love football and want to be great teammates. Those guys,” O’Connell said, “tend to do pretty well here.”
The Vikings have never played a game in February, as all four of their Super Bowl appearances happened long before the NFL changed the postseason format and added a 17-game schedule. If they make it that far this season, they can look back at the work they did last March when free agency began.
Instead of re-signing quarterback Kirk Cousins or outside linebacker Danielle Hunter at high prices, the Vikings found many good deals.
Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard was the most expensive signing, with an average contract worth $19 million per year. However, that is still $5.5 million less than what Hunter cost his previous team, the Houston Texans.
This allowed the Vikings to use some of those savings to bring in Van Ginkel, who came from Miami. Another linebacker from the Texans, Blake Cashman, also joined the team early on.
Quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Aaron Jones were signed for much less than what Cousins cost the Atlanta Falcons. In the following days, cornerback Shaquill Griffin, defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, backup outside linebacker Jihad Ward, backup linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, and backup wide receiver Trent Sherfield also came on board.
Then came training camp, where cornerback Stephon Gilmore got the $7 million deal he wanted to reunite with Flores, providing the Vikings with the strong outside coverage they have needed for years.
“I think all these guys are really good football players that we brought in and how they meshed with the guys that were already here. It’s a credit to the locker room, much more so than just the scheme and what we ask them to do,” O’Connell said.
“It’s what it’s like on a daily basis for these players to try to be the best versions of themselves.”
The changes from free agency, along with drafting outside linebacker Dallas Turner in the first round, gave the Vikings a defensive lineup with five new starters and four new backups who are regularly part of the rotation.
The Vikings have allowed the fourth-fewest points per game (15.2) in the league and are fifth in yards allowed per play (4.8). They are second in the NFL with 13 takeaways, thanks to Flores and his unpredictable scheme.
“He holds us to a high standard, and he puts us in position to make plays and allows us to play fast, physical, and play at a high level,” Van Ginkel said, adding, “He keeps talking about this thing called joy and just love playing it.
We’re ultimately playing a kids’ game, and if you’re not enjoying this, you’re not in the right sport or job.”
There’s also a player-friendly culture behind the talent and strategies that Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell have tried to create since they were hired in 2022. Jones noticed this right away, even after coming from a well-organized team in the Green Bay Packers that had a lot of success while he was there.
