Mike Zimmer teased some “out-of-the-box” defensive adjustments during the 2019 offseason. Zimmer lost pass-rushing stalwart Sheldon Richardson in free agency, but Vikings coaches gained a new scheme with which to unleash edge rushers.
They include linebacker Anthony Barr, who spurned the Jets’ pass-rusher money in March and signed the five-year, $67.5 million contract to stay in Minnesota.
A five-man front — deployed on first, second and third downs alike — is the Vikings’ latest defensive evolution. And from those looks, the defense forced Atlanta’s tailspin in the first quarter of Sunday’s 28-12 win.
“We did a good job getting pressure on the quarterback,” Zimmer said Monday.