The Minnesota Vikings have been the biggest surprise so far this season after their upset win over the San Francisco 49ers that propelled them to 2-0 on the season.
While quarterback Sam Darnold is in the midst of a renaissance season, the defense is getting just as much press. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have crafted a brilliant unit that stifled the 49ers all afternoon.
The rebuilt defense had some great performances on Sunday, including linebacker Blake Cashman, but it was another newcomer that has made the biggest impact thus far.
Jonathan Greenard is proving to be worth his Vikings contract
The Vikings decided to move on from edge rusher Danielle Hunter in free agency this offseason. Before he agreed to a deal with the Houston Texans, the Vikings signed former Texans edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to a four-year, $76 million deal.
It was a weird deal at the time. Greenard was viewed as somewhat of a one-year wonder after four seasons with the Texans. Once the Vikings signed him, the question remained whether or not it was a good fit. Once you turned on the tape, it was blatant how good it was.
On Sunday afternoon, there were multiple plays that displayed it, but this one stood out.
It's a simple outside zone play that Greenard displays with the one thing that this defense needs: a quick get-off on the ball. That is something that Hunter didn't have as his style was more methodical once he got into the pass rush rep.
Greenard has used that in a multitude of ways for the Vikings. Over the first two games, Greenard doesn't have a sack yet, but he is top five in the National Football League with 12 pressures and a big reason why the Vikings lead the league in sacks.
The Vikings have done a great job in their history identifying pass rushers and Greenard is the next great one.
