The defensive celebrations by the Vikings used to be appointment television.
With former safety Cam Bynum serving as the ringleader in front of the camera after an interception or a fumble recovery, it genuinely started to feel as if the Vikings forced turnovers solely so they could perform whatever dance routine they had been practicing behind the scenes.
The choreography put together by Bynum paid homage to some of his favorite movies — “The Parent Trap,” “White Chicks” — with fellow safety Josh Metellus often being the person to help get the party going.
Maybe it’s a coincidence that the Vikings finished last season tied for the league lead with 33 takeaways. It’s not like the their defensive celebrations actually led to them forcing more turnovers, right?
There’s reason to believe it at least played a role in the success the Vikings had in that realm. There was a distinct energy that Bynum brought off the field that seemed to carry over on the field to some degree. He was the ultimate vibes guy who had a way of bringing out the best in everybody around him.
He was also a very good player that seemed to unlock some of the stuff defensive coordinator Brian Flores likes to do on that side of the ball.
“He’s definitely going to be missed,” Metellus said after Bynum signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. “We can’t get those reps back.”
That assessment couldn’t be more spot on when seeing how the Vikings have performed without him. Not only are they missing the joy that Bynum radiated throughout the locker room; more important, they are missing the impact he always made in practices and games.
After forcing so many turnovers last season, the Vikings have yet to reach double digits this season.
More than half of the nine turnovers they have forced came in one game against the Cincinnati Bengals (5) when backup quarterback Jake Browning looked like he still thought he was playing for the Vikings.
“I don’t think anybody on our side of the ball saw this coming,” linebacker Blake Cashman said. “This defense is built on disruption and creating takeaways.”
It’s common to hear Metellus talk about being “more greedy” in their approach when it comes to turnovers. A tipped ball isn’t good enough; not when it could have been an interception. A sack isn’t good enough; not when it could have been a forced fumble.
“We talk about it every day,” Flores said. “There’s obviously a major emphasis on it.”
Now it’s true that there’s an element of luck involved. It’s an oddly shaped ball that often leads to funny bounces. That was on display against the Chicago Bears when quarterback Caleb Williams bobbled an exchange and the Vikings failed to pounce on it.
To explain away the lack of turnovers as a lack of luck, however, wouldn’t be right, and solving it isn’t as simple as the Vikings telling themselves that the tide is going to turn. They have to continue to operate with a sense of intentionality on a daily basis.
“We’ll continue to emphasize it,” Flores said. “I think people say they come in bunches at times; I don’t necessarily believe in that. We’ve just got to continue to work at it.”
As somebody who spends a lot of time on that area of the game, special teams coordinator Matt Daniels highlighted the importance of the defense getting the offense behind schedule when it comes to turnovers. That inherently forces the opposing team to take more chances in an attempt to get back on track.
“We talk a lot about, ‘How can we create negative plays?’ ” Daniels said. “We want to make it something where they have to absorb risk.”
As the Vikings struggled to turn the ball over, it can’t be ignored that Bynum is flourishing with the Colts. He has recorded a pair of interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery this season while starting every game for a group in contention for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
In the process, the Colts have become widely recognized for their defensive celebrations, taking the crown that once belonged to the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) does a backflip as he celebrates with teamamtes after an interception by Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
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