Vikings Starter Changes Jersey Number for 2024 Season

Josh Frey |

Apr 24, 2024

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) celebrates after an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings saw their defense take massive strides in the right direction.

A major reason behind that change was a player who wasn’t even on the roster until after 2023 NFL Draft concluded: LB Ivan Pace. After signing as an undrafted free agent, Pace emerged as a Vikings starter at the linebacker position, and now, the second-year player is set to make a jersey number change for 2024.

Vikings Starter Changes Jersey Number

Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

In 2023, Pace donned the #40 jersey throughout the season. However, he wore #0 throughout the final three seasons of his collegiate career. Now, it appears that Pace is set to grab that #0 for the 2024 season.

Minnesota Vikings LB Ivan Pace is now wearing number 0. Last worn by Marcus Davenport. #SKOL pic.twitter.com/DimlmMI8hN
— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) April 24, 2024

The NFL made a rule change last season that allowed players to begin wearing that #0 jersey. In total, 22 players made the change to the number during 2023. For the Vikings, it was edge rusher Marcus Davenport who snatched it up.

However, Vikings fans didn’t get to see much of Davenport last season, who played in just four games during the season, recording just seven total tackles and a pair of sacks. With the pass rusher heading to the Detroit Lions, #0 became available once again, allowing Pace to grab it.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers — Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers place kicker Eddy Pineiro (4) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Marcus Davenport (0) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Pace saw a great deal of success while wearing that number both at Miami (OH) and Cincinnati during college. He took on his first starting role at the collegiate level in 2021 for Miami (OH), and he went on to record 125 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, three passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble.

After leading the MAC in tackles, Pace opted to head to Cincinnati in 2022, and he was fantastic for the Bearcats as well. He put up 137 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks during his only season at Cincinnati, which made him one of the more intriguing players amongst the group of undrafted free agents.

Vikings Starter — Nov 5, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) reacts after sacking Navy Midshipmen quarterback Xavier Arline (not pictured) in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Luckily, the Vikings were able to pick up Pace, and he almost immediately proved to be an important member of Minnesota’s defense. He appeared in all 17 games and made 11 starts in 2023, and now wearing his old jersey number, appears set to make even more of an impact in 2024.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports Reference CFB.

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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.