Vikings coach is already drooling over one new starter
Minnesota Vikings inside linebacker Brian Asamoah has some big shoes to fill as the defense prepares for life after Eric Kendricks. After eight years with the Vikes, Kendricks signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. His departure means a door now opens for second-year linebacker Brian Asamoah. Drafted in the third round out […]
Minnesota Vikings inside linebacker Brian Asamoah has some big shoes to fill as the defense prepares for life after Eric Kendricks.
After eight years with the Vikes, Kendricks signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. His departure means a door now opens for second-year linebacker Brian Asamoah.
Drafted in the third round out of Oklahoma, Asamoah showed plenty of flashes in his rookie campaign. In 2022, Asamoah tallied 17 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Despite not logging a single start, the team obviously felt confident enough to move off of Kendricks and turn to Asamoah as the future of the Vikings’ linebacker position.
Along with defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ new scheme comes a new inside linebackers coach in Mike Siravo. Though Siravo hasn’t spent a ton of time around him just yet, Asamoah has evidently made quite the impression on his new coach.
“Man, what a gifted athlete and brings unreal energy,” Siravo raved. “Just keep getting reps in the new scheme and he's one of those chess pieces that you're going to see him all over the field. You know, he could rush he could drop, he can he can do a bunch of different things. He's athletic enough to play man. Love his energy in the room every day. Still a young player. You got to learn how to be a pro in this league and he's doing a great job of that and taking on a new a new defensive staff and just running with it. So he's been awesome.”
There is a sense of quiet confidence surrounding Asamoah in such a pivotal role in the defense. He plays with great instincts and has the physical tools to be a threat in the run game as well as against the pass, which is a critical element in Flores’ scheme.
There are still plenty of moving parts on the defense with an influx of new talent through the draft and free agency. But at the ripe age of 23 years old, Asamoah is one player that must perform in 2023 in order for the Vikings to reach their true potential on defense.
