CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings spent the offseason fortifying their defensive line, and the debut of Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen tonight against the Bears could set the tone for their season.
Minnesota entered 2025 looking to elevate a defense that already showed flashes under coordinator Brian Flores. The front office addressed its most glaring need: a disruptive interior presence. Signing Hargrave to a two-year, $30 million deal and Allen to a three-year, $51 million contract gave the Vikings two proven difference-makers capable of changing games from the inside out.
Hargrave’s Impact
Hargrave arrives in Minnesota after a productive stint with the San Francisco 49ers, where he became one of the league’s most consistent interior disruptors. The two-time Pro Bowler is known for collapsing pockets with both power and quickness. Despite battling injuries in 2024, Hargrave has built a reputation for bringing steady pressure and drawing double teams, which in turn frees edge rushers to exploit mismatches.
Allen’s Reliability
Allen brings toughness and durability after seven standout seasons in Washington. He has averaged more than six sacks per year since 2020 and has long been regarded as one of the NFL’s top interior linemen against both the run and the pass. His ability to anchor against double teams while still generating push up the middle gives Minnesota the type of versatility they lacked.
A Stronger Unit
With Hargrave and Allen inside, Minnesota can reduce its dependence on blitz-heavy packages and instead rely on its front four to win battles at the line of scrimmage. That shift allows Flores to disguise coverages more freely and lean on a defense that already finished near the top of the league in takeaways last season. Their presence also raises the ceiling for returning standouts like Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, who each posted double-digit sacks in 2024.
The ripple effect is simple: if Allen and Hargrave consistently command attention, the Vikings’ edge rushers should see more one-on-one opportunities, creating a defense that can dictate tempo without overextending.
Tonight’s Matchup
Against Chicago, Hargrave and Allen will be tested immediately by a Bears offensive line that has undergone changes of its own. The trench battle is expected to be decisive in Caleb Williams’ first start under new head coach Ben Johnson. Minnesota’s duo will see plenty of action against center Drew Dalman, left guard Joe Thuney, and right guard Jonah Jackson, a group designed to protect the Bears’ franchise quarterback.
How those interior battles play out may determine whether the Vikings can control the pocket and disrupt Chicago’s offensive rhythm. Hargrave’s quickness and Allen’s strength give Minnesota an edge on paper, but they will need to translate that into consistent penetration and pressure.
Setting the Tone
For the Vikings, this opener is more than just a rivalry game. It’s a chance to showcase a rebuilt defensive front designed to take the team from good to elite. Hargrave and Allen were brought in to transform Minnesota into one of the NFC’s most feared defenses. Their ability to dominate up front could not only tilt tonight’s outcome but also signal that the Vikings’ investment in the trenches is paying immediate dividends.
