Fans Raise Questions about Ivan Pace Jr. This Week
As the Minnesota Vikings heal from a bevy of early-season injuries, fans have turned their attention to the linebacker spot and what may occur next for off-ball defender Ivan Pace Jr.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman is expected back on Sunday against the Eagles, leaving some wondering what happens next for Ivan Pace Jr.
Pace Jr. is a starter, but with Blake Cashman returning to the lineup, presumably this week, Eric Wilson might have something to say about relinquishing his current role.
Ivan Pace Jr. to the Bench Theories Emerge
Pace has consistently started since the beginning of 2023.
Blake Cashman Eyes Week 7 Return
Here’s the first step in the Pace Jr. riddle — Cashman is set to return.
NBC Sports‘ Myles Simmons noted this week, “Help is on the way for the Vikings’ defense. Minnesota has opened linebacker Blake Cashman’s 21-day practice window as he returns from a stint on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Cashman suffered the injury in Minnesota’s Week 1 victory over the Bears. Cashman is in his second season with Minnesota after recording 112 total tackles with 4.5 sacks in 2024.”
“The Vikings are expecting J.J. McCarthy (ankle), Donovan Jackson (wrist), Michael Jurgens (hamstring), and Brian O’Neill (knee) to all practice in some capacity over the coming days as Minnesota gets set to host Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon.”
That news brings back Cashman, a starter and defensive signal-caller, back to Brian Flores’ defense.
Fans Wonder if Ivan Pace Jr. Will Hit the Bench
Cashman’s return prompted some Pace Jr. questions, at least in passing on social media.
For example, Tanner Weber, to an audience of over 8,000 followers, asked X users: “Legit question. Are the Vikings going to bench Eric Wilson or Ivan Pace Jr. when Cashman comes back Sunday? The gap definitely isn’t wide between the two, but Eric Wilson has been slightly better, imo.”
Some of the replies? “I don’t think it’s close. Eric Wilson has out played Ivan Pace since stepping in for Cashman. Pace is undersized and is scared to hit like a ILB,” one fan chimed in.
Another: “Pace sits when Cashman returns. Pace is a not good in pass coverage, Vikings usually blitz him, forcing the RB to stay in and block.”
One went pro-Pace Jr.: “Pace Jr.’s skill set compliments Cashman more.”
It’s Probably Not a One-for-One Swap in Wilson + Pace Jr.
The problem with simply benching Pace Jr. and keeping Wilson in the starting lineup? The two don’t perform exactly the same job. Wilson replaced Cashman — not Pace Jr.
Pace Jr. is used more than Wilson or Cashman to rush the quarterback, which might be a disadvantage for Wilson, and generally speaking, Wilson is a better stylistic replacement for Cashman than Pace Jr. So far in 2025, Wilson has 3 quarterback pressures to Pace Jr.’s 9. In the past, Wilson has also struggled with stopping the run.
Wilson might fill in for Pace Jr. in a pinch due to injury or whatnot, but the case for swapping Wilson in for Pace Jr. isn’t quite like a video game experience.
Brian Flores spoke positively of Pace Jr. this week, as well: “Ivan’s been doing a lot of really good things. I think he’s played physical and fast. I think his communication has been good, and he’s made improvements in those different areas over the course of his three years.”
“There’s some plays he’s he wants back, like every other player, some calls I want back. So, learning from those, continuing to grow, and get better. And I think he’s doing a lot of good things.”
That doesn’t sound like a synopsis of a guy on his way to the bench.
Nearing Full Strength Nevertheless
The long takeaway, aside from the bench-Ivan-Pace theory, is that Minnesota is inching closer to full health on defense. Cashman missed four games due to the hamstring injury. Harrison Smith missed the first couple of games. Jeff Okudah suffered a concussion out of the gate in 2025. And Andrew Van Ginkel is currently out with a neck injury.
Cashman’s return is incredibly significant to the defense, and the club is a Van Ginkel injury recovery away from full strength.
Of course, the offense is dealing with injuries — more than the defense — but even those are on the mend, with Brian O’Neill, Donovan Jackson, and J.J. McCarthy practicing this week.
Other Pace Jr. Takes
A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness on Pace Jr. this week: “The other elements of Pace’s game have been a big question mark his entire career. The one thing that Pace rules at is shooting gaps either rushing the passer or in the run game while moving North and South. He struggles in coverage, mainly because he doesn’t move laterally very well. The Los Angeles Rams took major advantage of that last year with Kyren Williams running a Texas route for a touchdown.”
“We’ve seen him get taken advantage of in other situations, and it’s a big reason why the Vikings may end up moving on from Pace. It’s been an up-and-down season thus far for him, and that could end up getting better with the return of Cashman this weekend. His future is going to be one to watch, but Flores’ positive views of Pace is a good sign.”
The Vikings are currently forecasted to lose to the Philadelphia Eagles by a point or two on Sunday, according to sportsbooks.
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