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- ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes has become one of the network’s biggest stars.
- Kimes made headlines on Monday evening when she released her list of the NFL’s top-five defenses.
- NFL fans had a lot to say about the ranking.
The NFL offseason has not been kind to ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes.
First, Kimes’ beloved Seattle Seahawks traded away star quarterback Russell Wilson. Then, the Arizona Cardinals attempted to troll Kimes on Twitter about the trade. To which Kimes responded with an all-time roasting.
Now Kimes is receiving heat yet again. Though often unjust, this time she may just deserve some of the blow back she’s receives. The always-interesting ESPN personality released her list of the NFL’s top-five defenses headed in to the 2022 season.
.@minakimes lists her top 5 defenses heading into the season 👀 pic.twitter.com/EAgJzGoecC
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 13, 2022
The rankings were a bit controversial and even Kimes herself knew a storm was brewing.
I’m sure this will go well for me on here 😭😭😭
But I stand by it! https://t.co/d63QBUTtGJ
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) June 13, 2022
NFL fans didn’t disappoint. Fans of just about every team in the league seemed to have an opinion on Kimes’ ranking.
So….. the Rams don’t exist? And I don’t trust Green Bay defensively. Bills, Rams, Saints, 9ers, Steelers. Tampa’s secondary is very suspect and they didn’t do much to improve it this offseason if I’m being real. https://t.co/s3NWBzR8WQ
— Chris Simpson (@nysfinest90) June 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/DrewBrees4love/status/1536698993199259648?s=20&t=G76yxtIehwLyAeUcelNVzw
she need to get her eyes checked!!! https://t.co/4MWO6TP9LX
— PITxDP🃏 (@PIT_DP52) June 14, 2022
A team I constantly see left off these lists is the Browns. https://t.co/GythPwQcdv
— smalls (@StephieSmallls) June 14, 2022
NO CHARGERS??? https://t.co/MYBLT7DkcE
— Luke Sawhook 🪚🪝 (@lukesawhook) June 14, 2022
For as many fans were coming after the rankings, a number also agreed.
If Mina Kimes thinks this, may be worth some thought. @espnhomer @ESPNChrisLarsen @AnalystTSmith34 @jasonjwilde https://t.co/AWgV7utJYX
— old man Rocky (@oldmanrocky) June 14, 2022
Yessir https://t.co/WkVNQmu1Un
— CORBiN (@CxrbinT) June 14, 2022
So funny to see people shocked at the #Packers being on this list. Can argue with the order, but they absolutely have a top 5 defense on paper.
This is what happens when the only thing (most of) the national media wants to talk about when it comes to GB is their receivers 🥱 https://t.co/vjueg8w21l
— Mark Oldacres (@MarkOldacres) June 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/Bucs_Barrett/status/1536522967282339841?s=20&t=G76yxtIehwLyAeUcelNVzw
Mina Kimes: very smart person. https://t.co/4V3xpFIMyS
— Dusty (@DustyEvely) June 14, 2022
Fellow ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky liked the list, but had some questions. Kimes expanded on her ranking, saying that both the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens made the top 10.
Good list
Where were LAC? Balt?
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) June 14, 2022
both in the top ten!
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) June 14, 2022
The list may have drawn a lot of ire, but Kimes is considered one of the network’s rising stars. She was recently ranked as one of the most influential members of sports media and ESPN has expanded her usage in recent years. She helped reshape NFL Live alongside Orlovsky, Marcus Spears. Ryan Clark and Keyshawn Johnson and clearly has the internet’s attention.