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The Vikings’ Next Defensive Star Might Finally Be Here

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Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner celebrates while Lions quarterback Jared Goff reacts after a defensive play at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner celebrates a defensive stop as Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff reacts following the play during the second half on Dec. 25, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The moment captured a turning point as Minnesota’s defense dictated tempo late against Detroit. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Minnesota Vikings are exploring the trade market for defensive standout Jonathan Greenard. The pass rusher signed with the Vikings two years ago as Danielle Hunter’s replacement.

If he’s out, Brian Flores’ unit would miss one of its key players. Fortunately, his successor is already around and could continue to thrive in Greenard’s role. That man is Dallas Turner, a 2024 1st-round pick.

While everyone was focused on quarterback J.J. McCarthy, his Draft classmate Turner was actually making major strides in the second half of his sophomore season. He benefitted from the five games Greenard missed with a shoulder injury, and the ones he appeared in when the veteran was clearly not at his full strength.

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dallas turner
Oct 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

In his rookie season, Turner played a limited role as a rotational piece behind Pro Bowlers Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, as well as backup Patrick Jones. His output, therefore, was fairly quiet, as he tabulated 20 tackles and 3 sacks.

In his second season as a pro, Turner appeared in all 17 games, making 10 starts. He logged 8 sacks, 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and perhaps the best aspect of his numbers, a whopping 4 forced fumbles.

Earlier in the season, Turner stepped into the starting unit in place of Van Ginkel, who was slowed down by a neck injury and missed several games. Van Ginkel’s role is unique, with frequent coverage responsibilities, while Greenard operates primarily as a designated pass rusher. Turner appeared more comfortable in Greenard’s role, where he was able to consistently attack off the edge and maximize his burst.

Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis (43) runs against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

“Turner,” PFF’s Dalton Wasserman recently wrote, “may have finally found his footing during the second half of this season. From Weeks 10 through 18, the former first-round pick racked up 24 pressures and seven sacks while ranking 16th among qualified edge rushers in PFF pass-rush grade (76.5). Turner also seemed to find further comfort in run defense, which could make him a more viable three-down player in 2026.”

Turner was flying off the edge in Greenard’s position. The explosiveness has always been there, but it’s fun to watch a young player turn that into production. He also provided solid help in the running game, something not all young edge defenders can do.

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Coming out of college, Turner had outstanding physical tools, as evidenced by a 4.46-second 40-yard dash. He was raw as a pass-rusher, and perhaps still is, but he’s slowly but surely growing.

In the second half of the season, he undoubtedly looked like a future difference-maker.

What makes Turner’s trajectory especially encouraging is how quickly the game seemed to slow down for him. Early in his rookie year, he relied almost exclusively on pure speed. By December, he was mixing in counters, adjusting his rush angles, and showing better discipline, setting the edge. That kind of refinement usually takes years, not months.

Flores also began trusting him in bigger moments. Turner wasn’t just cleaning up plays — he was creating them. Forced fumbles, third-down pressures, drive-killing sacks — those are impact snaps. The Vikings didn’t draft him to be a rotational spark; they drafted him to tilt games.

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Vikings OLB Dallas Turrner in 2025 against the Bears
Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) reacts after a tackle during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

If Greenard truly moves on, this won’t just be about replacing production. It will be about accelerating Turner’s arrival as a centerpiece defender rather than a complementary one.

With Greenard possibly leaving, the Vikings would hand the keys to Turner. Sure, they would acquire another veteran or even spend Draft capital on a rookie, but it’s unlikely that the new acquisition would be slotted ahead of Turner on the depth chart.

The 23-year-old was an expensive player to lure to the Twin Cities. First, the Vikings traded a pair of 2nd-rounders for the 23rd overall pick. That was expected to be used in a trade-up for a quarterback. However, the Vikings couldn’t land Drake Maye and only required a smaller trade for J.J. McCarthy. Suddenly, they were stuck at 23.

They didn’t stay there, however. Instead, the front office struck a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars for pick 17. According to most trade charts, the Vikings used the value of two 1st-round picks to draft Turner.

So far, he has clearly not been worth that kind of investment, but an elevated role could bring him in position to change that. In the second half of the year, he certainly looked like a foundational piece on the defense for years to come.

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Still only 23 years old, the sky is the limit for the young defender.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFFOver The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.

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Janik Eckardt is a German sports nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings to be his … More about Janik Eckardt

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How to download Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update

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The Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update is out now, and it introduces the much-awaited Tiny Takeover game drop. The build adds overhauled baby mobs, golden dandelions, craftable name tags, and more. Additionally, it enhances the overall performance and addresses persistent issues to ensure a seamless gameplay experience.

Here’s how you can download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update and get your hands on the adorable Tiny Takeover game drop.


Guide to download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update on all compatible platforms

Xbox One and Series X|S consoles

The Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update introduces the Tiny Takeover drop (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)The Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update introduces the Tiny Takeover drop (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)
The Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update introduces the Tiny Takeover drop (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)

You can get your hands on the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update with an active internet connection on your device. Follow these steps to download the latest game drop:

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  1. Make your way to the “My Games & Apps” section on your console’s library or the Recently Played tab.
  2. Choose Minecraft from the list of games and head to the Options button.
  3. Next, select “Manage Game & Add-Ons,” then choose “Updates.”
  4. Now, select it and wait for the required files to get downloaded.

The 26.10 Tiny Takeover update for Bedrock edition will be added to your download queue, and installation will begin immediately, provided you have an active internet connection. It is also recommended to make sure your console is not turned off and has a stable internet connection throughout to prevent corruption.


PlayStation 4 and 5

Download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update to enjoy the Tiny Takeover game drop (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)Download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update to enjoy the Tiny Takeover game drop (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)
Download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update to enjoy the Tiny Takeover game drop (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)

If you are yearning for the baby mobs on a PlayStation 4/5, you can download and install the latest Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update and install this game drop with ease. All you need is an active internet connection and a copy of the game installed on your console.

Here’s how you can get the latest game drop and check out the baby mobs and golden dandelion:

  1. Navigate to the console’s homepage and locate Minecraft, or search for it in your library.
  2. Next, select the Options button on your controller and choose “Check for Updates.”
  3. Make sure that you are connected to the internet before adding the update to the download queue.

Once the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update is found, it will be added to the download queue. Wait for the required files and assets to get installed. Once done, launch the game with the latest game drop build applied.


Nintendo Switch and Switch 2

Download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update to check out the Tiny Takeover game drop (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)Download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update to check out the Tiny Takeover game drop (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)
Download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update to check out the Tiny Takeover game drop (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)

Just like the PlayStation and Xbox consoles, Nintendo users can also download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update on their Switch/Switch 2 console and install the update seamlessly.

Here’s how you download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update on your preferred Nintendo device:

  1. Launch Minecraft on your Switch/Switch 2.
  2. Once the title opens, you will receive a notification for a new game update on your screen. Tap or select the pop-up at the top and wait for it to take you to the Nintendo eShop.
  3. Now, select the Update button and add the game drop update to your device’s download queue.

However, if you missed the pop-up notification or wish to install the 26.10 Tiny Takeover game drop manually, follow these steps:

  1. Make your way to the dashboard and launch the game.
  2. Next, press either the + or the button on your console/joycon.
  3. Once the Options window appears, select “Software Update” and choose “Via the Internet” to begin downloading the game drop update.

It is recommended to make sure your Switch/Switch 2 is connected to the internet and remains turned on during the installation process. This prevents file corruption or a failed download due to network issues. Once done, launch the game to enjoy the baby chicks and axolotls in the Tiny Takeover game drop.


Android/iOS mobile devices

The Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update is out now for Android and iOS (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)The Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update is out now for Android and iOS (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)
The Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update is out now for Android and iOS (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)

You can download and install the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update for Pocket Edition on all compatible Android and iOS mobile devices. It must be noted that most modern mobile devices will have automatic updates turned on to ensure games and applications are on the latest stable build.

However, if this feature is not enabled or you wish to download and install the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update manually, follow these steps:

  1. Look for Minecraft in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
  2. Once the Minecraft application page opens, you will notice that the Open/Play button has been replaced by “Update”.
  3. Hit the Update button after ensuring you have an active internet connection.
  4. Now, wait for the required files and assets to get downloaded and installed.

It is recommended to ensure your mobile device is turned on and connected to the internet during the installation to prevent data corruption. Once done, you will be able to enjoy the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update and all its new features/changes.


Windows 10/11 PCs

Download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update from the official game launcher (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)Download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update from the official game launcher (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)
Download the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update from the official game launcher (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Mojang Studios)

The Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update for the Tiny Takeover game drop can be downloaded directly using the official game launcher. In recent years, the application has evolved into a central point of access for managing the base game and spin-offs. Apart from letting players access different titles and instances, it also offers a seamless way to update to the latest available build.

By default, the Minecraft launcher is set to check for updates, hotfixes, and patches every time the application is launched. If a newer build is found, the application will automatically download and install it before the game starts. This ensures you are always on the latest stable version.

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However, you can download and install the Minecraft Bedrock 26.10 update on your Windows 10/11 PC manually as well:

  1. If this is your first time playing Minecraft, head over to the Mojang website or click this link. Go to the Download page and locate the launcher.
  2. Download the executable file and install it in your preferred file directory. Once the launcher is installed, sign in with your registered Microsoft account and get it ready for use.
  3. Next, open the launcher and select Minecraft: Bedrock Edition from the left sidebar.
  4. Make your way to the left side of the green Play button and go to the small drop-down tab.
  5. Next, open the drop-down menu and select “Latest Release” from the list of available options.
  6. Finally, click the green Play button and wait for the launcher to download the required files for the Minecraft 26.10 Tiny Takeover update.

It is recommended to ensure your device stays turned on and has a stable internet connection to prevent interruptions or file corruption. Once complete, hit the green Play button again to launch the Minecraft 26.10 update and enjoy the adorable baby mobs and the golden dandelions in the Tiny Takeover game drop.

Also read: Popular server Mineplex announces return under new ownership


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