 reacts after a sack during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/turnercele.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=647,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/turnercele.jpg”><figcaption><span>Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) reacts after a sack during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner did not field a full-timer’s workload in 2025, relegated to about 30% of defensive snaps. Accordingly, some believe the young EDGE rusher must do everything in his power this season to avoid the “bust” label.</p>
<h2>Can’t please ’em all — some are already invoking a naughty word for Vikings OLB Dallas Turner.</h2>
<p>General manager <a href=)
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded a gridiron fortune to select Turner in the 2024 NFL Draft, so when the regular season arrived, and Turner didn’t start, some bemoaned his small snap count.
And according to Bleacher Report, Turner must “bounce back and avoid the bust label.”
Bleacher Report Says Dallas Turner Must Avoid “Bust” Label
BR’s Matt Holder named six 2024 draftees with his bounce-back-or-bust criteria this week, and for better or worse, Turner made the list.
Holder explained, “Coming out of Alabama, Dallas Turner was widely considered one of the best pass-rushers in the 2024 draft class. With that in mind, it isn’t too surprising that the No. 17 overall pick did not record a single start as a rookie.”
“But it was a little shocking to see him only take 28 percent of the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference, and he could receive a similar workload this fall. Both starting edge defenders from last season return for the Vikings: Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard.”
 against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dallas-Turner.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=726,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dallas-Turner.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dallas-Turner.jpg” alt><figcaption>Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota linebacker D. Turner (15) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>A point of order: When Turner <em>did</em> get on the field last season, he routinely made splashy plays. It’s just that fans wanted more than the 28% of defensive plays in which Turner participated.</p>
<p>Holder added, “Van Ginkel is coming off a career year with a personal-best 11.5 sacks to earn a Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro bid. Meanwhile, Greenard has had back-to-back double-digit sack campaigns, logging 12 in 2024 while also making the Pro Bowl. So, Turner has an uphill battle to crack the starting lineup and could have a tough time seeing the field again.”</p>
<h3>Any “Bust” Conversation Not Applicable to Dallas Turner</h3>
<p>It’s totally understandable to scour the NFL for bust candidates, but Turner just isn’t a fair contestant.</p>
<p>The man was locked on a depth chart behind <a href=)
Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel last season, and those two players reached the Pro Bowl. Full stop.
Jordan Morgan: “He only played in six games with one start as a rookie, participating in just 186 offensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference. Granted, injuries played a factor in that, since he missed contests with a shoulder issue and ended the season on injured reserve. However, Morgan still doesn’t have a clear path to the starting lineup heading into year two.”
Turner and his teammates kick off training camp in Eagan on July 26th.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily … More about Dustin Baker
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