Minnesota’s Defensive Spending Continues With Andrew Van Ginkel
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Last season Brian Flores had to cobble together a defense out of aging stars and spare parts. The Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator did so, taking a unit that finished tied for 29th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed to the middle of the pack in his first year on the job.
Now Flores gets to actually build a defense in his own image. To do so, he’s called on an old friend from his days as head coach for the Miami Dolphins.
The Vikings have reportedly agreed to terms with Edge Rusher Andrew Van Ginkel to a two-year $20 million dollar contract. Miami drafted Van Ginkel in the fifth round of the 2019 Draft, which made Van Ginkel a rookie during Flores’ rookie year as head coach. Van Ginkel played in just six games as a rookie, but started to get a larger role over the following two seasons.
Over 2020 and 2021, Van Ginkel started to flourish under Flores, registering 9.5 sacks in 33 games, along with 16 tackles for loss and 30 quarterback hits. Once the Dolphins fired Flores, Van Ginkel struggled in the immediate aftermath, with just 0.5 sacks in 2022. He rebounded in 2023 season, stepping up with a career-high 6.0 sacks for the 11-6 Dolphins.
At 28, there might not be much runway left for Van Ginkel to improve, but he should make for a pass-rush option alongside the soon-to-be-signed Edge Rusher Jonathan Greenard. But if anyone is going to unlock another level in Van Ginkel, it may just be his old coach. As for Flores, after seeing him take the Vikings from the basement to 14th in scoring defense and 16th in yards allowed, it’ll be fascinating to see what happens now that he’s bringing “his guys” into the fold.
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