The Vikings’ Highway Robbery
The Vikings’ highway robbery involved signing corner Isaiah Rodgers to a two-year contract worth not too far beyond $11 million.
On Over the Cap, the precise number comes in at $11,045,000. There is some potential to see the compensation get up to $15 million, as the attached note clarifies: “Isaiah Rodgers signed a two year contract with the Minnesota Vikings worth $11 million with maximum value of $15 million. Rodgers received $8 million guaranteed including a $4.875 million signing bonus.”
The Vikings’ Highway Robbery with Mr. Rodgers
For someone like Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the contract for Rodgers is going to arrive as a major win.
Oftentimes, the focus from analysts rests on whether a player will live up to his deal. Adofo-Mensah, a GM constantly focused on generating positive value, may look at things differently. Someone who far exceeds the expectations that accompany a certain payday is like hitting a home run for an NFL executive. Adofo-Mensah will be thrilled by what he’s seeing of his free-agent addition.
One thinks back to outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, someone who was excellent in 2024 (and who has been compared to Rodgers a time or two).
Consider one idea from an earlier piece: “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.”
Mr. Van Ginkel did quite well, didn’t he? He was sent to the Pro Bowl while being named as a second-team All Pro. Goodness, he even finished at 7th in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The final stats showed 79 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 19 QB hits, 18 tackles for loss, and (to much acclaim) a couple of interceptions brought back for scores.
Playing so well meant giving the edge rusher a raise: “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.”
Isaiah Rodgers appears to be careening toward a similar fate.
Currently, Rodgers is coming in as PFF’s 3rd-best corner with an 82.2 grade. Most impressive is the 86.1 coverage grade, a number that comes in at first-place in the NFL. He has offered these abilities while playing 214 snaps along the outside, 53 in the box, and 19 in the slot (among a few plays in other alignments).
Minnesota’s (so called) CB2 is sitting on 19 tackles, 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 tackles for loss. So, too, have there been a pair of scores. Not too shabby.
Isaiah Rodgers is operating with a cap charge sitting at just $3,632,500. Next season, the number balloons to $7,412,500. Neither cap charge adequately accounts for just how well the speedy corner is playing (someone with historic speed).
In all likelihood, Isaiah Rodgers will be looking for a pay bump if the excellence continues. He is, after all, already on his third NFL team. The time to lock-in huge compensation is the present moment since we’re talking about someone who is going to turn 28 in January.
Minnesota will be keen to offer a raise so long as the excellence continues. Indeed, the Vikings will be looking for Isaiah Rodgers to continue blowing expectations to smithereens.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, PFF, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
