MN Vikings Place “Low Tender” on Young Defender

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Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The NFL legal tampering period is here, meaning teams around the league — including the Minnesota Vikings — are beginning to negotiate with free agents, as you read this.

They’ve spent the past week preparing the roster for the official start of NFL free agency on Wednesday, and are now cap compliant as the negotiating window opens.

But before phones started ringing across football, new executive in-charge, Rob Brzezinski, made sure two middle linebackers from the University of Cincinnati can’t leave without them giving the go-ahead first.

Ivan Pace Jr gets clarity from Minnesota Vikings

Late Sunday night, the Vikings wrapped up a new deal for breakout linebacker Eric Wilson, so he isn’t going anywhere. Then on Monday morning, they slapped Ivan Pace Jr with the “Low Tender” designation, allowing Minnesota the right of first refusal on any contract offer he might receive.

By using the low tender on Pace Jr, the MN Vikings will not get draft pick compensation, should they choose not to match an offer sheet he signs elsewhere. The low tender salary should check in around $3.5 million for 2026, if Ivan Pace Jr. does indeed return.

That would be a nice boost to the $2.715 million he made in total over the past three seasons. It remains to be seen what kind of market there will be for Pace, however, being he’s hitting free agency after the 25-year-old losing his starting role to Eric Wilson last season.

If a team knew they were getting the breakout rookie version of Ivan Pace Jr, the Vikings would probably have more suitors to contend with. Nonetheless, you never know how a linebacker market will look until you are in it.

MN Vikings saw Ivan Pace Jr slide

An undrafted free agent in 2023, Pace broke onto the scene with 102 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery as a rookie. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been the same guy since.

Pace played in just 11 games during 2024 season due to injury. Last season, it took just five weeks for Wilson to take his job, which he never got back.

Despite playing in all 17 games, Pace saw his defensive snap count dip to just 30% (down from 59% in 2024), and was relegated to special teams 75% of the time. He finished with a career low 62 tackles and just one sack.

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