Brian Flores Pounds the Table for His Newcomer
The Minnesota Vikings are back in Eagan this week, hosting their annual mandatory minicamp.
One Vikings newcomer has had Brian Flores’ attention for years, and he talked about him on Tuesday at Vikings mandatory minicamp.
The forum situates players and coaches in front of the microphone after practice, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores was one of the first to take the podium on Tuesday.
One of his first orders of business? Pounding the table for free-agent newcomer Isaiah Rodgers.
Brian Flores High on New Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers
Head coach Kevin O’Connell, Flores’ boss, said earlier this offseason that adding Rodgers was a Brian Flores masterclass. It didn’t take long for Flores to confirm that sentiment this week.
“He’s been on my radar since he was at UMass. When the opportunity presented itself that we could maybe acquire him, I was all in. I’m happy we got him. He’s got great football IQ and acumen. That’s something we’ve stressed,” Flores told reporters.
The man has been following Rodgers for over five years, now getting the chance to coach him.
Isaiah Rodgers’ Path to the Vikings
Rodgers won a Super Bowl last year with the Philadelphia Eagles while starting three games and appearing in 15 overall. All told, Rodgers played 328 defensive snaps for the champion Eagles in 2025 — or about 40% of the time.
The season prior, Rodgers was notably suspended for gambling, an event that unfortunately shaped his career — in a bad way — until arriving in Philadelphia.
The Indianapolis Colts drafted Rodgers from Massachusetts in 2020, staying attached to the Colts for three seasons and playing decently most of the time. The speedy corner never broke out into stardom as a Colt, hoping that will happen this time around in the Twin Cities.
Rodgers produced an 82.1 passer-rating-against last season.
Rodgers’ Role in 2025
In Minnesota, Rodgers projects as a starter, likely suiting up next to Byron Murphy Jr. on Sundays.
The Vikings have a somewhat rare opportunity this summer to sign another cornerback like Jaire Alexander, Asante Samuel Jr, Mike Hilton, Jack Jones, Rasul Douglas, or Shaquill Griffin from free agency, with men such as Jalen Ramsey, Greg Newsome II, and Tariq Woolen as theoretical trade options.
If Rodgers makes it to Week 1 as the Vikings’ CB2 next to Murphy Jr., he will have fully earned it because it will have meant that Minnesota turned down numerous non-Rodgers alternatives from the open market.
The Vikings’ Full CB Room
For complete context on Rodgers’ role in 2025, this is the complete purple CB unit from the 90-man roster:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Jeff Okudah
- Dwight McGlothern
- Tavierre Thomas
- Ambry Thomas
- Reddy Steward
- Kahlef Hailassie
- Zemaiah Vaughn
- Keenan Barber
Vikings.com on Rodgers Last Week
Rob Kleifield of Vikings.com remarked on Rodgers’ performance at OTAs last week: “Super Bowl champion Isaiah Rodgers was absent the opening week of OTAs, but introduced himself accordingly Monday, coming up with the defense’s lone takeaway early in a half-field 7-on-7 period.”
“Extra noticeable in popping gold cleats and color-coordinated gloves, Rodgers, signed this offseason on the heels of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with Philadelphia, flashed his pedigree and ability by reading and jumping a mid-level pass from McCarthy to Jordan Addison on the left sideline.”
Having Rodgers in the fold for a full summer could translate to the aforementioned starter’s job next to Murphy.
He added, “On the subsequent snap, McCarthy redeemed himself by zipping a completion over the middle to Jefferson. He tried for a back-to-back to “Jets” right after, as well, but missed the All-Pro streaming up the sideline – overthrowing him slightly, out of bounds – with Byron Murphy, Jr., tight on Jefferson’s trail.”
“Although there weren’t any other takeaways in competitive drills by the defense Monday, several guys had what would’ve qualified as a pass breakup. Notably, in a low-red zone 7-on-7 sequence, Jeff Okudah and Jay Ward stifled passes intended for Vikings receivers.”
An Underrated Offseason Move
Our Janik Eckardt last week called Rodgers to Minnesota one of the offseason’s most underrated moves.
He explained, “Entering free agency, the Vikings were set to lose their top four cornerbacks. Only Byron Murphy Jr. was re-signed, so he needed a new supporting cast. The first man to sign with the franchise in free agency was Isaiah Rodgers, who played last season for the Philadelphia Eagles and gained some experience in the Super Bowl.”
“Granted, he is a projection because he has never played more than half the defensive snaps in a season in his career, but he generally played well in those opportunities. A true speedster, the Vikings (especially Brian Flores) seem to think highly of the outside cornerback, and he should be penciled in as a starting cornerback until proven otherwise.”
Rodgers is just 27 years old.
Eckardt concluded, “Rodgers is a playmaking cornerback, and if his game translates to a full-time starting role, he could be another one of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s sneaky free agent steals.”
Mandatory minicamp will continue throughout this week.
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