Kevin O'Connell highlighted the process of prioritizing Isaiah Rodgers after historic day 'It starts with Brian Flores'
The Minnesota Vikings got their second win of the season, and it wasn't even close, beating the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 48-10. It was a complete destruction in every aspect of the game with the Vikings leading at halftime 34-3.
A major reason why the Vikings had a lead that big going into halftime was the presence of Isaiah Rodgers . The Vikings added Rodgers in free agency with the idea being that he would be a quality starter opposite of Byron Murphy Jr. They have been rewarded in his third game with a historic performance, where Rodgers became the first player in NFL history to win score two defensive touchdowns and force two fumbles in the same game. He did it in the first half.
Brian Flores identified Isaiah Rodgers early on in free agency
The first signing by the Vikings in free agency was Rodgers, who agreed to a two-year deal worth over $11 million. It's a common tactic the Vikings have taken with other free agents they believe to have potential much higher than their current value.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about why they targeted Rodgers and he was very straightforward with his answer: defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
"Well, it starts with [Brian Flores]," said O'Connell about prioritizing Rodgers in free agency. "I can remember vividly the conversation with Flores about him, and the vision pairing him with Murph [Byron Murphy Jr.], and what we thought that could be like. Flo, I don't want to go through the time we've been together, and those types of names, when he's got that tone in his voice, when he brings it to me, and we collaborate with the personnel side.
"But Isaiah is on that list of guys, and the other ones that he's mentioned have turned out pretty darn well here. So I think it's a matter of Flo's impact and his ability to have vision for players like we've seen here with two free agencies now, where there's been an immediate impact on our team and end up being great Minnesota Vikings for us."
It's no surprise that Flores was behind it. During training camp, Flores told reporters in training camp that Rodgers has been on his radar since his playing days at UMass, and it makes sense. Rodgers is such a good fit for what Flores wants to do on defense, and it helps that the Vikings aren't worried about his smaller stature (5-10, 175 lbs).
The historic performance isn't something that we can expect to be duplicated, but his positive play over the first three games is a really good sign for the unit. Rodgers will continue to find more difficult tests during the season, but passing this one against Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is a great start.
Browns Make Joe Flacco Decision After Beating Packers
The Cleveland Browns made their stance on Joe Flacco clear following a gritty 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Cleveland’s offense sputtered for much of the afternoon, failing to score until late in the fourth quarter. Andre Szmyt broke the drought with a 35-yard field goal at the 3:38 mark, and a Grant Delpit interception set up rookie Quinshon Judkins for a 1-yard touchdown plunge.
Green Bay nearly had the final say, lining up for a potential game-winning kick with under a minute left. But the Browns blocked it, giving Szmyt one more chance. The rookie kicker delivered, drilling a 55-yarder as time expired to secure the dramatic victory.
Despite the win, Flacco’s play remained a central storyline. The 40-year-old struggled to move the offense, finishing 21 of 36 for 142 yards with an interception — his fifth turnover in three games.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged the offensive inconsistency but said he never considered benching Flacco in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel to provide a spark.
“I’m just focusing on doing what I think is best for the team,” Stefanski said of his reasoning to stick with Flacco.
Stefanski emphasized that injuries along the offensive line, particularly at tackle, only magnified the challenges of going up against a stout Packers defensive front.
“That’s a great defense. I’m confident saying that’s a great defense. We had injuries early to our tackles,” Stefanski said. “They made life really hard.”
Browns QB Joe Flacco: ‘It Wasn’t Pretty’
The game was not an offensive showcase. Neither side cracked 230 total yards. Flacco admitted playing in that type of game isn’t easy, but he’s focused on playing his role.
“It’s hard. It’s hard to go out there and play in games like today,” Flacco said. “But that’s what football is sometimes. With the type of defense we have, it’s about going out there and capitalizing on turnovers and not making mistakes. It wasn’t pretty today. It was tough and there were times down the field where guys were open but I just didn’t make it happen. You feel for the group as a whole. Everyone wants to go out there and perform and put up numbers, points, yards, all that stuff. Part of your job as a quarterback is to get that done. But also, your job is to win a football game and play your role.”
The Browns’ offense was showered with boos in the second half as the scoreboard stayed stuck at zero. Even in his 18th season, Flacco acknowledged the noise still gets to him.
“You’re a person. You’re human. It hurts you a little bit and you want to react to it. But you can’t,” Flacco said. “Being a pro and being in this sport, you can’t be that guy. You will not survive. We’re all human and it affects people. But you have to be able to rally, at least fake it, and bring it to life.”
Browns Considered Starting Dillon Gabriel Against Packers
Through three games, Flacco has passed for 631 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. He also had a fumble returned for a touchdown against the Ravens during a 41-17 blowout.
The Browns at least considered making a chance to Gabriel in the week leading up to the Packers game, per Brad Stainbrook.
“Earlier this week, Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees spent much of Monday in meetings weighing whether to hand the job to rookie Dillon Gabriel, per league sources close to the situation,” Stainbrook said. “The staff ultimately decided to stick with Flacco for another week, but the leash is short.”
The Browns head to Detroit next week with a chance to move to .500. Coming off the win, Cleveland will likely continue rolling with Flacco.
