For sure, it was a rough rookie(2024) season.
The Dude got his HC fired he was so awful!

Caleb Williams. Is there an award for most progress from year 1 to 2? If there were, Caleb probably wins hands down. Of course, there are plenty of moments from him in year 2 where he looks rather bad. But the kid is one of the best 4th qtr qb's we have witnessed in the nfc in a very long time.

Some of this is rules aided and officiated with bias. Yet, the other 3 teams in the NFC North had best start planning now. Beginning with the 2026 draft. How do you build a defense that can shut down Caleb in the 4th qtr.

1st- the top way to prevent the 21 point 4th qtr comeback, is to burn the clock. Just like playing vs Mahomes, Josh Allen or any other stud qb. Keep the miracle qb on the bench via 15 play 8-9 minute drives. That starts via a dominant run game. A passing scheme built on the slow burn instead of the big play quick score.

The 2nd part of the plan is a defense that tackles via a ball carriers hips. The hips dont lie, hips dont juke or wiggle. Nor do they break tackles. Legs and shoulders break tackles. Caleb breaks so many tackles bc nfl players dont know how to aim into the mid section and wrap em up.

I do like the Flores defense, the way its built for versatility. Speed on the edges. One thing id like to see change tho, is bulk/ size in the middle. A couple Jerry Ball/ Pat Williams types to rotate in at nt. A slew of Calais Campbell big men at 3-4 de. A pair of inside lbers with size and stength. Sonny Styles would be a good start in this years draft. The rest of the lber crew should be in the mold of Josh Mettelus/ Harry Smith. Hybrid safties that can cover a te or rb, as well as tackle and blitz. I also think, you have to play a shallow matchup zone underneath with man corners on the outside.

Seattle has proven. You can build a defense and find players on day 2 & 3 of the draft if you focus on specific player traits and not the collge headlines. You can find small school players, div 2 & 3 players.

Like Cignetti did in Indiana. Watch the tape and find productive players. The fewer accolades they bring with them in to the nfl. I think the higher the probability they can be coached into your system. Players with something to prove instead if star power talent counting their future millions before they arrive.

There is room for analytics in the process. Identifying body types to scout. But the basis on which to draft guys is in their game tape and interviewing coaches. Put the time in to find the guys that fit the bill.

I think the Vikings should also be holding an open call mini camp for non traditional players. Guys from the CFL, XFL. aussie football, Rugby and any other athlete with the body type, speed or strength that matches the analytics identified for a given position. Why not a Weight lifter from greece signed up to play NT after some coaching? Or an MMA fighter with the speed & mean streak to rotate in at outside lber.

Finally, part of the OTA process should be a science based nutritional seminar that includes data on injury and the correlation to diet.

Which brings us back to Caleb. I believe he is the 1st NFL player raised from infancy as a vegan. He's likely, imo- to prove the benefit of this diet as he avoids injury throughout his career. Calebs going to be around a very long time. The Bears are going to do soething we have not witnessed in our lives. They will remain at the top for the next decade +.

The Vikings better start now, planning on how to beat him.