As the Minnesota Vikings enter an off-season of change following their playoff miss, tough decisions on big names like Aaron Jones or T.J. Hockenson will dominate headlines. But lurking in the shadows of this rebuild is another notable tale: the near-total fall from grace of former promising talent Ivan Pace Jr., who is poised to depart as a free agent.
Minnesota Vikings
From “Mainstay” to “Afterthought”: A Vertical Descent
Ivan Pace Jr.’s journey in Minnesota is a quintessential NFL tragedy. From an undrafted free agent (UDFA) in 2023, he climbed to become a “mainstay” in the defense, a testament to scouting and player development. However, everything crumbled in October during a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. For the first time since earning his place, Pace did not play a single defensive snap.
The cause was a combination of two factors: the return from injury of Blake Cashman and the undeniable emergence of Eric Wilson through impressive play. Since that benching, Pace has been virtually invisible, totaling just 73 defensive snaps over several weeks, with a modest stat line of 4 tackles and 3 quarterback pressures.
Why Is This an “Under-the-Radar” Departure?
Letting Pace Jr. walk next spring seems an inevitable and “under-the-radar” outcome for several reasons:
Redundancy & Lost Momentum: The Vikings invested in Cashman (via free agency) and found a diamond in the rough with Wilson. Pace, despite early promise, lost his spot and couldn’t reclaim it.
The Perfect Expiring Contract: He is an impending free agent with a diminished role, making an extension nonsensical. He’s the type of player teams quietly “move on” from.
Tactical Fit: Pace’s strength is run defense, but if the Vikings seek more versatility in Brian Flores’s system, he may no longer be the right fit.
The Ideal Landing Spot: A Homecoming in Cincinnati?
If he leaves Minnesota, the most logical destination for Pace seems pre-written: the Cincinnati Bengals. This is not just a need-based fit but a perfect homecoming story.
Dire Need: The Bengals’ run defense in 2025 is a disaster, allowing 157.9 yards per game—the worst in the NFL. They are in desperate need of players like Pace.
Deep-Rooted Connection: Pace played college football at the University of Cincinnati, was born and raised in Cincinnati, and played high school football at Colerain High School in the city. A move here would be a symbolic “homecoming,” offering a chance to revive his career in front of the hometown fans who watched him rise.
Ivan Pace Jr.’s departure from Minnesota won’t be seismic, but it marks a sad conclusion to a once-promising story. For the Vikings, it’s an easy decision in an off-season of hard choices. But for Pace, it could be the gift of renewal. A landing spot like Cincinnati offers not only the playing time he desperately needs but also an emotionally charged setting to prove that his Minnesota decline was merely an interruption, not the finale of his true potential. Sometimes, the path to revival starts right where it all began.