Monday Morning Mailbag: Frustrations With the Defense & Cook's Contract Extension

[Viktor]

Why did the Vikings not try to apply pressure on the GB offense? After the goal line stand, they hardly blitzed and played way too passive on defense.


— Jordan Musser


Not a single tackle or sack from our two main edge rushers. Maybe we overhyped them?


— Cody Waller in Chesapeake, Virginia


We'll combine these questions from Jordan and Cody, as both pertain to them pass rush/defense during Sunday's loss.


On a frustrating day for the Vikings defense, perhaps the most striking aspect of the loss was that Aaron Rodgers seemingly had all day to do as he pleased. In the 10 previous times the Vikings had faced Aaron Rodgers with Mike Zimmer at the helm, the Vikings had racked up multiple sacks nine times.


Minnesota obviously didn't record a sack Sunday, and it was one of the first things Zimmer mentioned in his postgame press conference.


"We didn't get much pressure on him, that's for sure," Zimmer said.


Rodgers utilized a quick release — how many times did we see him hit a teammate on a quick out pass Sunday and in recent games? Plus, when pressure does come, he's able to evade it and flick the ball 40 yards downfield for a score.


The Vikings have talked in the past about rushing with four players and hoping the get there, while everyone else is in coverage all over the field. That didn't happen Sunday, and it showed.


The Vikings, who were without two-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter, used a rotation of Yannick Ngakoue, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Jalyn Holmes and Eddie Yarbrough against Green Bay. Odenigbo shifted inside at times as a pass rusher.


I wouldn't say that group was overhyped. If anything, they did the best they could given the circumstances.


Holmes and Yarbrough likely fall into the same category of guys who have been around for a few seasons but are still looking to make their mark. Odenigbo had a strong 2019 season as a reserve, but didn't make as much of an impact Sunday.


Which brings us to Ngakoue, who has now been a Viking for roughly two weeks. I remember one play where he was close to getting to Rodgers, but that doesn't matter much if he can't affect the throw.


Ngakoue is still getting familiar with his new teammates and the playbook, so let's wait a month or so before assessing his play in full.


That's not to say there isn't concern after the defense allowed 522 yards and 43 points. There certainly is.


But I'd classify it as a rough outing for the entire unit, not just any one player.