Defensive improvement was high on the agenda for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023. A 1-4 record doesn’t scream improvement, but there have been aspects of the Vikings defense that have been better. One key thing to consider is players who have improved under Brian Flores.
Arguably, the biggest move the Vikings made during the offseason was appointing Flores as the defensive coordinator. The Vikings defense in 2022 was bad, though masked by a knack for creating turnovers at opportune times. Opposing teams marched up the field at will last season. That simply had to improve.
It would be a stretch to say the Vikings defense is now good, but expecting such a turnaround in a handful of games was unrealistic.