Flores Adopts Patient Approach With Rookie Caleb Banks

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is prioritizing a gradual development process for rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks, according to Sports Illustrated.

Banks faced significant hurdles leading into training camp, having missed the majority of the 2025 college season at Florida due to injury and subsequently re-aggravating a foot injury during the NFL Combine. These setbacks prevented Banks from participating in minicamp or OTAs. While he is now active in training camp, Sports Illustrated reports he has been limited to a few full-speed repetitions per day.

Flores told Sports Illustrated that he is a "patient guy with rookies," emphasizing the need for young players to build professional habits and routines to reach their potential. This cautious approach mirrors Flores' handling of other young players; for example, 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner played only 302 snaps during his debut season. Other players who saw limited early action under Flores include Jay Ward, Ty Ingram-Dawkins, and Levi Drake Rodriguez.

Despite the Vikings cutting two veteran defensive tackles during the offseason, Flores indicated that Banks and fellow rookie Domonique Orange may not be immediate impact players. Flores noted that the NFL is a difficult environment for defensive linemen and that preseason performance will heavily influence their early roles.

If the rookies are not ready for heavy workloads, the Vikings will rely more on Jalen Redmond and starters Levi Drake Rodriguez and Ty Ingram-Dawkins. Last year, Rodriguez recorded 2.0 sacks and 11 QB pressures over 461 snaps, while Ingram-Dawkins played 250 snaps, with 174 coming against the run.