There were a lot of positive takeaways from the Vikings’ week 3 victory, many of which came on defense. Brian Flores’ squad scored two of Minnesota’s six touchdowns on Sunday afternoon. Both were housed by recently acquired cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.

Minnesota Vikings CB Isaiah Rodgers goes off vs Bengals

Not only did the 27-year-old former Eagle/Colt return an interception and fumble for two scores against the Bengals, but he was responsible for FOUR total takeaways (1 INT, 3 FF), two passes defensed and 3 tackles, easily taking home the MN Vikings’ MVP Award for week 3.

CRIBBED.@rodgers_isaiah

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/VRusxti1cT

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 21, 2025

Strong coverage by Isaiah Rodgers pic.twitter.com/pXAMZJ3UyX

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) September 21, 2025

The Minnesota Vikings made Isaiah Rodgers their first unofficial signing of the free agent negotiating period, back in March, making clear his priority both with their hastiness and financial investment.

For much of the offseason, that move — along with the Vikings’ refusal to add more starting talent around him and Byron Murphy Jr — has been widely criticized by fans and media alike. Prior to this season, Rodgers had only started 15 of the 62 NFL games he had played in, hardly proving himself as a legitimate CB2.

Even with the barrage of media questions publicly and behind the scenes, Vikings leadership never looked back after landing Rodgers, instead using their time and cap space throughout the offseason to build up other weaknesses on the roster. On Sunday, that stubbornness paid off in dividends.

Rodgers sets new PFF benchmark with insane performance

On Sunday, the UMass alum was breaking all sorts of records. First, Rodgers became the first Viking to ever score two defensive touchdowns in one game, a feat that helped him become the first NFL player in the Pro Football Focus era to post a perfect 99.9 in-game overall PFF grade (99.4 coverage grade).

We've never posted about a grade as high as Isaiah Rodgers' in the A22 era… 🤯

🟦 99.9 – Overall Grade
🟦 99.4 – Coverage Grade

(In-game PFF grades)

— All-22 (@All22_PFF) September 21, 2025

Just like last season, Brian Flores and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have proven that we should not doubt them when they target an underwhelming talent in free agency.

Last year, it was Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard and Blake Cashman. In 2025, signing Isaiah Rodgers at the bargain rate of 5.5 million per year (two years) has once again proven them smarter than their peers.

Returning Minnesota Vikings veterans provide boost in win

Speaking of veteran defenders, the MN Vikings were noticeably better with theirs back in the mix Sunday. Harrison Smith and Van Ginkel were able to ease themselves back in, a practice we saw with the return of Christian Darrisaw, on the offensive side.

Darrisaw’s return was a triumphant success. It didn’t take a lot of reps for him to regain form, doing his part to hold All-Pro Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to just 1 tackle, 0 sacks and 0 pressures (42 snaps) — but he also got plenty of rest, playing just 38 of the MN Vikings’ 58 snaps offensively.

Smith played just 22 snaps, Van Ginkel just 8. But the ladder made them worth his while, wrapping up Jake Browning for 2 sacks, and adding one more QB hit for good measure. But as proven above, the star of Sunday’s defensive show was Isaiah Rodgers.

Obviously the Vikings have since addressed the wide receiver spot by adding Adam Thielen. They could afford to bring in another pass-catcher as well.

They have yet to address the cornerback position, and the roster currently has just four players at the position. It would seem shocking for them to begin the year that way, but Kwesi Adofo-Mensah doesn’t seem to be pressed about it.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah content with Minnesota Vikings corners

Most teams typically roster five or more cornerbacks. The Vikings will start Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. They also seem extremely high on former third-overall pick Jeff Okudah. Dwight McGlothern would then be the only non-starter, but KAM doesn’t see that as an issue.

Asked about the fact that there are only 4 cornerbacks on the active roster, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah notes that veteran Fabian Moreau is on the practice squad. Also notes the Vikings sometimes use "Big Nickel," with a safety rather than a cornerback.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 28, 2025

Last season the Vikings employed Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, and Shaq Griffin as starters. They had depth behind them as well. Recently they traded depth corner Mekhi Blackmon to Dallas, and they haven’t made a move to grab anyone to backfill his spot.

Gilmore remains a free agent, and despite initially signing with the Seahawks during the offseason, Griffin didn’t wind up making the roster. Either of them could presumably return in a straightforward transaction.

Related: Minnesota Vikings 2025 Practice Squad Tracker

As Adofo-Mensah mentions, veteran Fabian Moreau is also on the practice squad. Moreau is entering his ninth NFL season and has 113 games (56 starts) under his belt. Still, his overall ability leaves something to be desired.

MN Vikings could make a crazy addition

The Minnesota Vikings should have a talented defense this season under Brian Flores. They could take pressure off the secondary by improving an already incredible front seven. Dallas is now taking calls on Micah Parsons.

4/180M guarantee 112.5M

Parsons is 26, you’re adding the premier defensive player in the NFL.

And a new contract would be due around the time JJMC needs to get paid. https://t.co/krLcQMTn4M

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 28, 2025

No, Micah Parsons does not play cornerback. He does give Flores another weapon though, and using safeties in cornerback roles gets easier if the linebacker play is top-tier.

Parsons wants a new contract in Dallas and owner Jerry Jones has fumbled the process at every opportunity. His current cap hit comes in just over $25 million, and the Vikings have just over $26 million remaining in cap space. They could also extend the superstar, and that would soften the blow of trading draft capital.

Related: Vikings Update on Harrison Smith’s Mysterious Health Condition

Unfortunately for Minnesota, the Green Bay Packers jumped up and grabbed Parsons first. The paid the freight, and also handed him a new $188 million deal.

From there they need to see if Jeff Okudah is the real deal, and decide how to handle Jordan Addison’s suspension. The cornerback room still seems like an area of concern, but one could moonlight at a different spot.

Isaiah Rodgers signed this offseason as a new starting cornerback for the Vikings. He may also be the guy elevated to fill in on special teams.

Isaiah Rodgers drawing return interest for Minnesota Vikings

This offseason the Minnesota Vikings went after Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl-winning quarterback Isaiah Rodgers. The former sixth round pick has become a defensive stalwart at the highest level, and he’s also got some return experience. Vikings special teams coach Matt Daniels is pounding the table to use him there.

The Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer caught the back and forth between Daniels and defensive coordinator

Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said cornerback Isaiah Rodgers is an opening day option at kick returner, a position that should get more action this year as touchbacks now start offenses at the 35-yard line.

But Daniels said that will require some discussion among the coaching staff weighing the risk and reward of using a starting cornerback on special teams. Daniels wants Rodgers, whom he said might have the best “start-and-stop” ability on the team. Yet two other players — running back Ty Chandler and wide receiver Tai Felton — were returning kicks in practice.

“I’m still battling,” Daniels said. “We’ll see if I come out on top.”

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores sounded as if he wants his starting cornerback focused on playing defense.

“We want to put our best players out on the field on defense,” Flores said. “[Daniels] wants to put his best players on the field in the kicking game. Look, my career started on special teams. That phase is near and dear to me. … I understand, I get it. We’ll always put our heads together at the end.”

Star Tribune

It’s unclear whether Rodgers actually wants to return kicks or if it’s something concocted by the special teams unit. Still, with Brandon Powell no longer on the roster, and uncertainty regarding other options vaults him into view.

Rodgers has 69 career kick returns under his belt. He has averaged 27.1 yards per return and housed one (for 101 yards) as a rookie for the Indianapolis Colts in 2020. Rodgers has only returned three punts, but that isn’t a role Minnesota is considering him for.

Related: Former MN Vikings First Round Pick Retires

If it’s not Rodgers, then the Vikings options get interesting. It’s still plausible that Ty Chandler doesn’t make the starting roster. Tai Felton could work his way into playing time through the return game, and so too could undrafted free agent Silas Bolden.

Kick returns get intriguing this year as well. Touchbacks result in the receiving team lining up at the 35-yard-line. At any rate, whether Rodgers returns kicks or not, the Vikings need him to stay healthy and productive.

Not only were most of the Vikings key veterans in attendance for voluntary OTAs, but according to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) during his latest scoop session on SKOR North, the practices this week in Eagan were notably intense.

Minnesota Vikings OTAs were notably intense this week

Not only did the longtime local reporter (who has attended hundreds of Vikings practices) notice the pumped up competitiveness, though. New CB Jeff Okudah, who previously played for the Dan Campbell-led Lions, expressed his surprise with how intense the 7-vs-7 practice sessions were too.

“I thought it was a pretty spirited practice, for OTA session number two. You know, just the competitive nature of it. I had a nice chat with Jeff Okudah after practice. He noted that and so I just thought that was pretty interesting for late in May. I did not expect to see some of the stuff we saw on Wednesday. You know, seven on seven and all that, just how spirited it was, how competitive it was. I did not expect to see that for May 28th.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)

If you are a Minnesota Vikings fan reading this article or watching that scoop session, you have to be excited about how this first week of offseason workouts went. For all of the team’s stars to show up ready to work and improve on what was an incredible 2024 season, it’s clear O’Connell & Co. are already locked in and hungry for more success.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Wins Another Award

You know 100% that, not only are other teams missing a lot of big names on their OTA attendance sheet, but it’s highly unlikely others are coming in this focused and determined to get better. That’s a really good sign, especially for a Vikings team that sportsbooks and most pundits are picking to be a middling NFC squad in 2025.

Most Minnesota Vikings OTA absences due to injury

Of course, not every key Minnesota Vikings player for 2025 was on the TCO Performance Center practice fields this week. Most notably, Christian Darrisaw was missing at left tackle (replaced by Justin Skule) and Will Fries was replaced by Blake Brandel at right guard.

Of course, both Darrisaw and Fries are recovering from major leg injuries. The former went out in week 11 of last season with a major knee injury that required surgery. The latter broke his leg. According to what Kevin O’Connell told reporters in his presser, Fries isn’t expected to practice until training camp.

Fries, their top external signing in March, may not practice fully until training camp, O’Connell said, or nearly 10 months after sustaining a broken tibia on Oct. 6. The Vikings’ top nine blockers may be set if they’re content with Rouse, a 2024 sixth-round pick, as a hybrid tackle/guard. Skule, the 28-year-old former 49er and Buccaneer, replaces David Quessenberry as the backup tackle. Jurgens, a 2024 seventh-round pick, is the backup center.

Ben Goessling (Star Tribune)

Meanwhile, Darrisaw was working out with cleats on the sideline this week. The Minnesota Vikings hope he is ready to return for the start of the regular season. It’s also worth mentioning the RG/LG alignment.

Related: MN Vikings Insider Unable to Dig Up Any Dirt on JJ McCarthy

With Fries out, Brandel slid over to right guard, while 1st round rookie, Donovan Jackson worked with the first team at left guard, where he is supposed to be competing with Brandel as a starter. Does that mean Jackson can be written in to start week one?

#Vikings starting OL in yesterdays OTA’s:

LT: *Justin Skule
LG: Donovan Jackson
C: Ryan Kelly
RG: *Blake Brandel
RT: Brian O’Neill

*Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries did not participate due to injury recovery

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) May 29, 2025

No, but it is worth monitoring how many snaps Brandel gets on the left side, while Fries continues his rehab. The other injury absence was Rondale Moore, who continues his rehab from a torn ACL. Not only is he expected to compete for the WR3 job, if healthy, but he could be a factor in the return game too.

Where in the world is Isaiah Rodgers…?

The only non-injury OTA absence that was mentioned by reporters who were in Eagan this week was new CB Isaiah Rodgers. In his absence, the aforementioned Okudah and second-year 2024 undrafted free agent signee Dwight McGlothern got reps with the first team defense. Mechi Blackmon got some run too.

Coaches were getting long looks at Okudah, the former Lions top pick on his fourth NFL team, and McGlothern, last year’s undrafted darling, with the first-team defense on Wednesday. Blackmon appeared to be getting some work, too, as he’s 10 months removed from a torn ACL. Rodgers, the ex-Eagles reserve who got a two-year deal to play a bigger role in Minnesota, was not seen at practice.

Ben Goessling (Star Tribune)

It is important to remember that these workouts are “voluntary” and we do not know why the newly signed corner was not in attendance. Nonetheless, it’s news worth mentioning.

The Vikings have plenty of their own players hitting free agency this week, most of them in the secondary. It took a couple of hours, but when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah struck for the first time on Monday, it came via an agreed upon contract with 27-year-old Super Bowl winning cornerback, Isaiah Rodgers (Eagles).

Minnesota Vikings sign CB Isaiah Rodgers

Rodgers new contract is worth two years, $15 million deal, ($8M GTD). This move doesn’t necessarily signal the end for Byron Murphy Jr in Minnesota, though that remains the most likely outcome. Rodgers has not been a starting CB in the NFL but the Vikings are certainly paying him like one next year. This is not CB1 money, though.

Former Eagles CB Isaiah Rodgers reached agreement on a 2-year $15 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal includes $8M fully guaranteed. The deal was negotiated by Bryan Gavin and Ed Wasielewski of EMG Sports.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2025

Rodgers played has played 57 games over his first four seasons in the NFL, starting just 12. His best year so far came in 2021, when he played in all 17 games for the Colts, intercepting three passes and deflecting 7 more.

According to PFF, he earned a solid 76.0 grade for his 2024 season with the Eagles, where he finished the season with 19 solo tackles and one forced fumble. This is a smart move for the Vikings, especially on a team-friendly deal just the kind of signing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah tends to favor.

Related: Top DL Free Agent Visiting Minnesota Vikings

Now, it’s just a matter of what happens next because Rodgers far from fixes the many holes this Minnesota Vikings team had in its secondary entering the offseason. I’d expect Kwesi and defensive coordinator Brian Flores are still looking to add a CB1 sometime before the end of this week.