With so much focus on the identity of the Vikings’ starting quarterback for 2025, it was easy to overlook upgrades made in an attempt to bolster both lines of scrimmage. Especially in the middle.

On offense, the Vikings have a new center and two new guards. On defense, they have new defensive tackles. And both made a major impact on Monday night.

Consider this stat , from Nick Olsen of VikingsTerritory.com.

Against the Bears, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave had seven quarterback pressures. That’s the most of any interior defensive lineman for Week 1. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen had six, tied for second most.

Together, that’s 13 in one game.

Last year, the Vikings’ starting defensive tackles — Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard — combined to register 21 quarterback pressures.

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