Led by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, the Vikings had their first takeaway frenzy of the season against the Bengals, perfecting a move they have practiced until it became muscle memory.
By Emily Leiker
The Minnesota Star Tribune
September 23, 2025 at 11:30PM
Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) forced this fumble by Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase in the second quarter on Sunday by punching it out of his hands. (Elizabeth Flores/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Daniels now gives a weekly turnover presentation to the Vikings.
Part of the uptick in punch-outs, Daniels said, is that hand-eye coordination, and athletic performance overall, is reaching new levels.
But he also learned in his studies with Fassel the value of building the motive and movements to achieve it into players’ subconsciouses, making it muscle memory.
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“If you can continue just to work it, work it, work it and just build that subconscious mindset, then it just all becomes natural in the football game,” Daniels said.
The Vikings do work it most days in practice. In one particular drill, two defensive players — at all positions — will dive at each other above a foam pad, with one trying to knock the ball out of the other’s grip.
Metellus called it “special” to see the direct translation of that work in practice to gameday.
about the writer
Emily Leiker
Sports Reporter
Emily Leiker covers the Vikings for the Minnesota Star Tribune. She was previously the Syracuse football beat writer for Syracuse.com & The Post-Standard, covering everything from bowl games to coaching changes and even a player-filed lawsuit against SU. Emily graduated from Mizzou in 2022 is originally from Washington state.
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