Currently, it’s looking like all hands on deck for the Vikings defense.
Last week, edge rusher Dallas Turner got re-added but off-ball linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. needed a bit more time in the infirmary. The good news is that Week 5 doesn’t involve Mr. Pace carrying an injury designation. Indeed, only T.J. Hockenson — who is listed as “OUT” — appears on the injury report, meaning that the LB2 is ready to return to work.
Vikings Defense Snags a Boost in Ivan Pace Jr.’s Return
Not too long ago, Blake Brandel — read Vikings Territory‘s interview with the LG1 — had some good things to say about the linebacker.
Per the LG1, Pace has the perfect mindset for being a linebacker. Brandel describes his teammate as “a jacked-up pitbull” who is “really excited.” There’s then a note about Pace being a “heat-seeking missile” and a “great football player.” To Brandel’s mind, “that’s kind of what you want though on defense, right, is someone who’s just willing to chew your head off.”
Keep the description within the context of being an NFL linebacker. The words are less flattering for, say, a secretary, a grocery cashier, or a mail carrier. Being a linebacker requires a certain degree of aggression, so Brandel is offering kind words even if they come across as strange to some ears.
The linebacker has missed the past couple of games due to injury, so it’s been Kamu Grugier-Hill who has gotten the nod opposite Blake Cashman (the Vikings’ lonely linebacker). The veteran Grugier-Hill has done a nice job, picking up a pair of interceptions in his two games.
Where Pace can thrive is when he goes into attack mode. Or, put differently, as a pass rusher and/or as someone who aggressively pursues the ball carrier. There’s no need to tell Mr. Pace that he needs to play with more physicality or urgency.
In his two games of 2024, Pace has snagged 15 tackles to stand alongside 1 tackle for loss and 1 quarterback hit. He has been on the field for 87 defensive snaps, which works out to 62% of the time when he has been available. Cashman has snagged the top linebacker job, meaning Pace gets taken off the field with more regularity.
Given how well Grugier-Hill has played and then the emphasis on getting Josh Metellus onto the field for the three-safety look, there’s at least some reason to question whether Ivan Pace will officially maintain his starting job. Brian Flores could opt to lean more on his safeties and even the veteran LB3 for a few more snaps than originally planned.
Regardless, getting Pace back into the mix is a good thing. He’s yet another weapon to toss into Flores’ cauldron of chaos. The linebacker blitzed 74 times as a rookie and has 12 across his two games. So, keep an eye on Mr. Pace when it’s an obvious passing down; there’s a good chance he’ll be looking to get after Aaron Rodgers.
The sophomore linebacker is carrying a $921,666 cap charge. He is still only 23.
