Super Bowl Champion Expected to Make ‘Serious Impact’ After Joining Vikings

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a “big fan” of veteran cornerback and Super Bowl champion Isaiah Rodgers, and the former Philadelphia Eagle could be in line for a big season.

Rodgers, a sixth-round pick (No. 211 overall) by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2020 draft, is entering his sixth NFL season.

He signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Vikings in free agency this offseason.

“Rodgers demonstrated why the Vikings pegged him as a likely starter despite a relatively obscure career since the Colts selected him in the sixth round of the 2020 draft,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote on June 30. “Rodgers displayed playmaking ability, jumping an out route and intercepting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, while also showing speed as a kickoff returner.”

“It’s not clear whether the Vikings will use him as a returner, given the heavy workload he’s expected to face as a cornerback,” Seifert of Rodgers. “But he has a big fan in defensive coordinator Brian Flores.”

Kevin O’Connell Listened to Brian Flores About Isaiah Rodgers

Flores spoke candidly about his long-held affinity for Rodgers during the Vikings’ offseason program.

“Zay’s been on my radar since he was at UMass. Fast playmaker. I think he’s one of these kind of late-round guys, who found his way in the league, … in the kicking game, and got in some games and made some plays. And I’ve always thought he was a good player and was ascending. And the opportunity presented itself that we could maybe acquire him, I was all-in, and I’m happy we got him. He’s been a great addition. He’s got great, kind of, football IQ and acumen. That’s something that we’ve stressed really throughout the group at all levels,” Flores told reporters on June 10.

“I think it’s just a great addition. We talk about bringing guys in who, as far as building a synergy within the group, how is this guy gonna mesh with Murph [Byron Murphy], and Harry [Harrison Smith], and Telly [Josh Metellus], and he’s just come in and done a great job from that standpoint.”

Flores’ influence was clear in Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s comments on Rodgers.

“Isaiah was a guy that Flo really identified pretty early. And historically … he’s been pretty darn accurate,” O’Connell told reporters in April. “And that guy, whether playing for us or somebody else, has immediately shown up. So no pressure on Isaiah, but he definitely got that evaluation from Flo.”

Isaiah Rodgers Joins Re-Tooled Vikings Secondary

O’Connell touted Rodgers as a starter in the Vikings’ defense early on, acknowledging the workload could come at the expense of using the veteran as a returner.

“I think he’s got the ability to make plays on the football, he’s got some ability to do something with it when he does catch it,” O’Connell said. “Whether he ends up being a part of the return game or not is really going to just come down to how the rest of our roster shapes out. Because I see Isaiah being an every-down, impact guy.”

Rodgers is part of a rebuilt Vikings secondary that let Shaquill Griffin, now of the Seattle Seahawks, and Stephon Gilmore walk in free agency, but has added former first-round pick Jeff Okudah to a mix that includes 2024 undrafted free agent Dwight McGlothern.

They also got 2023 third-round pick Mekhi Blackmon back after a torn ACL in September 2024.

“There’s experience there, but also talent,” Flores said of the Vikings DBs. “Can’t have enough in that position.”