Vikings Linebacker Ivan Pace Is Expecting a Promotion
While the record of 7-10 was quite disappointing for the 2023 Vikings, various exciting storylines transpired throughout the season. Those include the two-game stretch of Dobbs-mania and the emergence of Josh Metellus as a versatile weapon on defense. But nothing can top Ivan Pace’s sensational rookie season.
Vikings Linebacker Ivan Pace Is Expecting a Promotion
Most draft analysts viewed the Cincinnati linebacker as a mid-round draft choice after a season with outstanding production in the AAC. Concerns about his size made him tumble in the draft, all the way into the undrafted free agents pool.
A true underdog story began when the undrafted rookie signed with the Vikings. His skillset as a pass rusher from the second level was a perfect match for new defensive coordinator Brian Flores, so fans started to wonder if he could make the 53-man roster. Not only did he do that, but he claimed a starting job right next to Jordan Hicks, forming the team’s linebacker duo.
When Hicks missed time with a scary leg injury, it was Pace who replaced him as the green dot player. He wore the one helmet with the speaker to communicate with Flores, get the play calls, and forward them to his teammates. That role could be his in the upcoming season.
Pace appeared on the show Up & Adams on Monday, and the host, Kay Adams, asked him if he would wear the green dot helmet this year:
I believe so, I believe so. We lost Hicks and when he went down last year, I took over and they gave me that trust. I believe, now that he’s gone, I’m going to definitely wear that green dot this upcoming season.
Ivan Pace
Hicks departed in free agency and signed with the Cleveland Browns. His leadership will be missed, so someone must succeed him in that area.
That player will either be free-agent acquisition Blake Cashman, who signed a three-year $22.5 million contract with the Vikings, or sophomore Pace.
In his debut season, Pace proved the other 31 teams wrong, perhaps even the Vikings, who also passed on him numerous times. He played in all 17 games, officially starting 11 contests and logging 102 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one interception in 706 defensive snaps.
If he is indeed chosen as Hicks’ successor, his snap count will increase as the defensive play-caller should be on the field on the vast majority of the plays. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 16th-best of 82 linebackers last season. He ranked 11th in pass rush and 12th in coverage. The one asterisk is perhaps his 60th-ranked run defense, where his size might indeed play a factor.
Regardless, he has been a wonderful contributor, and his continued growth will be fun to watch. He will most likely play next to Cashman in most defensive sets, and the green dot will be handed out to one of them.
Pace will turn 24 in December.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus, Over the Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt