The Vikings should sign a defensive Super Bowl champion, according to PFF.

As the Minnesota Vikings gear up for the 2025 NFL offseason, the team’s front office is tasked with addressing several key areas to maintain and build upon their competitive window. After a strong, but ultimately disappointing, 2024 season, the Vikings are looking to shore up weaknesses and make a push for a deeper playoff run. While the team boasts one of the league’s top offenses and a dynamic young quarterback room, one area that continues to be a point of emphasis is defense.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Vikings are poised to make significant improvements in the 2025 season by adding a proven, defensive Super Bowl champion to their roster. This move would bolster a defense that, while solid, has been inconsistent at times. By signing a player with championship pedigree, the Vikings could infuse their defense with much-needed experience, leadership, and game-changing ability—traits that have become synonymous with successful teams in the NFL.

1. The Vikings’ Defense in 2024: Solid but Inconsistent

The 2024 season saw the Minnesota Vikings finish with a respectable 10-7 record, earning a playoff spot and showcasing the talents of players like Za’Darius Smith, Danielle Hunter, and Harrison Smith. However, despite the presence of standout individual performers, the Vikings’ defense as a whole struggled with consistency, especially in high-leverage moments. Against top-tier offenses, the defense had trouble closing games, often failing to generate the necessary pressure on opposing quarterbacks or stopping key drives when it mattered most.

The Vikings finished 2024 ranked in the middle of the pack defensively, with particular struggles against elite quarterbacks and high-powered offenses. Their pass rush, while strong, could have been more consistent, and their secondary was often exposed in critical moments. For a team looking to contend for a Super Bowl in the near future, Minnesota’s defense was in need of both immediate upgrades and long-term stability. It was clear that the Vikings needed to add another piece—someone who could provide leadership, consistency, and an ability to make game-changing plays in crucial moments.

This is where PFF suggests that the Vikings could find their answer: by signing a defensive Super Bowl champion. Whether it’s a veteran free agent or a trade acquisition, adding a player with Super Bowl experience could elevate the defense and bring that championship mentality that every contender craves.

2. Why Sign a Defensive Super Bowl Champion?

Signing a Super Bowl champion, especially on the defensive side of the ball, brings a wealth of advantages to a team looking to make a playoff run. These players come with several important traits that are often lacking on teams looking to make the leap to the next level:

A Winning Mentality

Super Bowl champions are accustomed to playing in high-pressure situations, and they know how to perform when it matters most. Their experience in big games—the ones that decide championships—can help lift the performance of their teammates in crucial moments. The Vikings, as a team that has yet to capture the ultimate prize, could greatly benefit from a player who understands what it takes to win on the biggest stage.

Championship Pedigree

Players who have already hoisted the Lombardi Trophy carry with them a sense of confidence and leadership that is invaluable. Their presence in the locker room and on the field helps set a standard for excellence. The Vikings have had some successful seasons in recent years, but they have yet to break through and secure that elusive Super Bowl victory. A defensive Super Bowl champion would bring credibility to the defense and set an example for younger players like Patrick Peterson, Lewis Cine, and Camryn Bynum on how to elevate their game when it counts.

High-Level Performance in Crunch Time

Perhaps most importantly, Super Bowl champions have proven their ability to perform when the game is on the line. Whether it’s getting a crucial stop in the fourth quarter or making a game-winning sack, players with Super Bowl experience know how to handle the pressure. The Vikings, who have struggled in clutch situations, need someone who can consistently perform at a high level when the stakes are at their highest.

3. Who Could Be the Right Fit for the Vikings?

When looking for a defensive Super Bowl champion to add to the roster, the Vikings would likely target a player who can provide immediate impact on their defense, particularly in the areas of pass-rush and leadership in the secondary. Here are a few candidates who could fit that mold:

Jadeveon Clowney – Edge Rusher

Jadeveon Clowney is one of the most prominent names on the free-agent market as a veteran edge rusher with a Super Bowl championship under his belt. Clowney, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013, has built a reputation as one of the most disruptive defensive players in the league. While Clowney has struggled with consistency over the past few years, he is still capable of being an explosive pass-rusher with the right system around him.

For the Vikings, Clowney would be a perfect fit as a complementary pass rusher opposite Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter. The Vikings have long struggled to generate pressure consistently on quarterbacks, and adding Clowney would give them a veteran presence on the edge who knows how to perform in the postseason. His size, athleticism, and ability to both rush the passer and defend the run make him an ideal addition to Minnesota’s defense.

Frank Clark – Edge Rusher

Another potential target for the Vikings could be Frank Clark, the standout pass rusher who won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs. Clark has been a force in the postseason for the Chiefs, consistently coming up with big plays when the team needed them most. His combination of power, speed, and playmaking ability has helped him carve out a long and successful career.

Clark’s ability to step up in big moments would make him a valuable asset for a Minnesota defense looking for a veteran with a championship mentality. If the Vikings are looking to add a proven pass rusher who can generate consistent pressure and contribute in crucial situations, Clark would be a natural fit for their defensive scheme.

Patrick Peterson – Cornerback

Though he’s already a key member of the Vikings’ defense, Patrick Peterson is worth mentioning in this context. The veteran cornerback, who won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021, brings leadership and experience to the Vikings’ secondary. Peterson has proven himself as one of the league’s elite cornerbacks, and his mentorship of younger defensive backs like Lewis Cine and Camryn Bynum has been invaluable.

Peterson may not have the same level of explosiveness he once had, but his intelligence and ability to read quarterbacks make him a crucial piece of the puzzle for the Vikings’ defense. As a Super Bowl champion, his presence in the secondary sets the tone for a unit that already has considerable talent but could benefit from additional leadership and experience.

Bobby Wagner – Linebacker

The Vikings could also look at adding Bobby Wagner, the standout linebacker who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 and has since been regarded as one of the best in the business. Wagner’s ability to play in coverage, stop the run, and lead the defense with his intelligence and leadership would make him a valuable asset to the Vikings. Though the team already has Eric Kendricks in a prominent linebacker role, adding a player like Wagner would bring another level of leadership to the front seven.

Wagner’s ability to read plays, play sideline to sideline, and be a vocal leader in the locker room would elevate the defense’s mentality as a whole. His championship pedigree and playoff experience would be crucial in a team looking to build momentum toward a potential Super Bowl run.

4. The Impact on the Vikings’ Defense

Adding a defensive Super Bowl champion would have several key benefits for the Vikings’ defense. First, it would bring a wealth of experience and leadership to a young, developing unit. Players like Camryn Bynum, Harrison Smith, and Lewis Cine would benefit greatly from the mentorship of someone who has been through the rigors of playoff football and knows what it takes to win it all.

Secondly, a defensive champion would provide a much-needed boost in critical areas like pass rush, coverage, and overall defense against top-tier offenses. Whether it’s adding a proven edge rusher like Frank Clark or a versatile linebacker like Bobby Wagner, the Vikings would immediately improve in the areas where they’ve been vulnerable.

Finally, the psychological impact of adding a championship-caliber player cannot be overstated. The Vikings’ defense has shown flashes of brilliance, but they have often faltered in critical moments. A Super Bowl champion would provide that mental toughness and leadership to help them rise to the occasion when the pressure is on.

 A Smart Move for the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are a team on the cusp of greatness, with a dynamic offense and a solid defense that, with a few key additions, could become a top-tier unit in the NFL. Signing a defensive Super Bowl champion—whether it’s Jadeveon Clowney, Frank Clark, Bobby Wagner, or another impactful veteran—would be a smart move that could elevate the Vikings’ defense and help them take that next step toward championship contention.

With the right defensive additions, the Vikings could become a more complete team, capable of competing with the best in the NFC and making a deep playoff run. As the offseason approaches, adding a Super Bowl champion to the roster would not only bolster their defense but also instill a championship mindset that could push the Vikings to the ultimate prize.