The New Andrew Van Ginkel on The Vikings’ Roster
Forecasting who will become the new Andrew Van Ginkel — if there ends up being one in 2025 — is a bit of a foolish task. After all, we’re talking about some major cleats to fill since the edge rusher turned into a Pro Bowl player and All Pro.
Nevertheless, allow me to push the point by uplifting corner Isaiah Rodgers.
Both defenders found their way to Minnesota in large part due to the recommendation from Brian Flores. Both have demonstrated promise across their five-year NFL careers (before coming to the Vikings, at least) while nevertheless failing to solidify themselves as full-time starters. Finally, each agreed to solid two-year deals that look like bargains if each live up to expectations.
Isaiah Rodgers as the New Andrew Van Ginkel
Before going too far, consider some differences.
Van Ginkel, an edge rusher, is likely going to be used in a more versatile manner. He’ll be tasked with lining up as an edge rusher and an off-ball linebacker. At other times, Van Ginkel will get kicked out into the slot or even be tasked with dropping into coverage after lining up as a defensive end. The possibilities are seemingly endless for the former Dolphin.
Rodgers, in all likelihood, isn’t going to asked to do quite as much.
His size — standing at 5’10” and weighing 170 pounds — screams slot corner but his NFL résumé doesn’t point toward that reality. Rodgers’ career has involved being an outside corner for 1,211 snaps. The next highest spot? In the box with just 71 snaps.
Brian Flores seems likely to squeeze a bit more versatility out of his new corner but the background does tell us something: Isaiah Rodgers is going to be more comfortable playing along the outside unless his career undergoes a massive transformation in the Twin Cities.
Where Rodgers offers more beyond just being an outside corner is on specials. The man has blazing speed, making him an intriguing option as a returner (something special teams coordinator Matt Daniels has publicly discussed). What does the behind-the-scenes decision making look like as it relates to giving Rodgers chances to bring the ball back?
Bring things back around to the main topic: any sense that Minnesota has bought-low on an upside defender, one who came at the recommendation of Coach Flores and who is now about to shine?
Andrew Van Ginkel’s original two-year deal came at a cost of just $20 million. From the outset, Minnesota appeared to do well, but then the season arrived. Very soon, it became evident that the team did very well. The team had to rectify the issue — Van Ginkel was wildly underpaid — so they handed out a one-year extension that’s coming in at $23 million.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Rodgers is stepping into a Vikings future that has a similarly middle-class two-year deal. In total, the compensation is sitting at $11,045,000. Modest money if Mr. Rodgers fulfills expectations by becoming a steady starter.
What happens, though, if steady starter isn’t in Rodgers’ future? What happens if he truly explodes, becoming an impact starter? An extension that mirrors the one that Van Ginkel did could be in the cards.
Andrew Van Ginkel, 30, will be looking to replicate last season’s brilliance. Isaiah Rodgers, 27, will be looking to mirror the edge rusher by breaking out in his debut season as a Viking.
If successful, Rodgers may start getting some comparisons to the pass rusher whom Flores is so fond of.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
