Vikings Success May Hinge on Newcomer
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is under the most pressure on his team’s roster in 2025, mainly because the depth chart is a Super Bowl-caliber entity while he is the great unknown.
CBS Sports labeled one new addition as the most important non-QB on the Vikings roster heading into 2025. Here’s why his impact could define the 2025 campaign.
But other than McCarthy, the player under the most pressure is cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, according to CBS Sports.
That website sized up all pressure-cooked players in the NFL before the start of training camps.
Isaiah Rodgers Has a Mighty Assignment
CBS Sports claimed Rodgers holds the key in 2025.
Non-QB Under the Most Pressure? CBS Sports Says Isaiah Rodgers for Vikings
Jared Dubin of CBS Sports identified one non-quarterback under the most pressure for each NFL team in July, and for the Vikings, Rodgers got the nod.
Dubin wrote, “The Vikes lost several players from last year’s secondary, and will be counting on Rodgers to man one of the outside cornerback spots. He fared fairly well the last few years when counted on to step into the lineup for the Eagles, but he’s likely to be a full-time starter now — and in one of the most complex, difficult situations in the league.”
“Brian Flores walks a tight rope with his defensive scheme, and if Rodgers isn’t up to the task, things might change dramatically on that side of the ball.”
Other players fitting the criteria might include newly-minted starting safety Theo Jackson, outside linebacker Dallas Turner, or kicker Will Reichard.
A Fair Assessment
Dubin isn’t out of left field, either.
Minnesota did not re-sign Stephon Gilmore or Shaquill Griffin during the offseason, instead making Rodgers its very first free-agent signing in March. The team trusts him with a starter’s job, evidenced by Rodgers rolling with first-teamers in Eagan at training camp.
Rodgers has never consistently started in the big leagues, and in fact, missed all of the 2023 campaign due to a gambling suspension.
Now, he’s the CB2 of the Vikings, a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations as early as now.
A Suspect Secondary if Rodgers Is Medicore
The problem with Rodgers — if he’s mediocre or subpar — is the domino effect.
The Vikings drafted no cornerbacks with early-round capital, despite Michigan’s Will Johnson falling into their laps. They also didn’t land free-agent corner D.J. Reed, who later landed in the division with the Detroit Lions, preferring Rodgers and Jeff Okudah.
Rodgers and Okudah, at least from a summer 2025 viewpoint, are not certifiably good starting cornerbacks. They’re maybes.
So, in that vein, Minnesota needs Rodgers to ace the test as a starter or have Okudah fill those shoes. Third-year CB Mekhi Blackmon or Dwight McGlothern could also get a look in case of emergency.
What about CB Alternatives?
If the Vikings decide they need more CB beef, well, the options, outside of trades, are now limited. These corners are available on the free-agent wire:
- James Bradberry
- Rasul Douglas
- Kendall Fuller
- Stephon Gilmore
- Emmanuel Moseley
- Asante Samuel Jr.
From that list, Douglas, Gilmore, and Samuel Jr. would inspire confidence, and then that’s about it.
Perhaps Rodgers will just be productive or flat-out good, and free agents won’t matter.
Other Pressure-Cooked Players in the NFC North
Dubin claimed Detroit Lions guards Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany also had the pressure label. He noted, “Detroit was already going to have a bunch of change to deal with this season with Johnson leaving for Chicago. But after Frank Ragnow’s retirement, the Lions now have to reshape what has been arguably the NFL’s best offensive line. Ratledge, a rookie, and Mahogany, a second-year player who got just 75 snaps last year, will be key in that transition.”
And in Green Bay, Dubin named rookie wideout Matthew Golden and opined: “Packers head coach Matt LaFleur would tell anyone who would listen last year that the team didn’t really need a ‘No. 1’ wide receiver. The Packers had plenty of options with Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton and more.”
“A year later, they used their first-round pick on Golden, the first time they selected a wideout in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002. They need Golden to be the guy who both draws coverage away from others and takes advantage when he has one-on-one situations, taking the offense to a higher level.”
The Vikings’ first preseason game is eight days away, and it is unclear if Rodgers will see the field. Minnesota typically rests most set-in-stone starters.
You must be logged in to post a comment.