The first free-agent signing by the Minnesota Vikings caught fans and media members by surprise. After mini-camps and OTAs, it looks like that signing could be a pleasant surprise.
Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers signed a two-year, $15 million deal in March after winning the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles. The move surprised some fans, as Rodgers has only started 13 games since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
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But he stood out in offseason activities, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, providing a glimpse of what the Vikings expect Rodgers to be in their defensive system.
Rodgers demonstrated why the Vikings pegged him as a likely starter despite a relatively obscure career since the Colts selected him in the sixth round of the 2020 draft. Rodgers displayed playmaking ability, jumping an out route and intercepting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, while also showing speed as a kickoff returner.
It’s not clear whether the Vikings will use him as a returner, given the heavy workload he’s expected to face as a cornerback. But he has a big fan in defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who said he has been tracking Rodgers since he played at the University of Massachusetts. “He’s been a great addition,” Flores said. “He’s got great football IQ and acumen.”
Rodgers isn’t a big corner, standing 5-foot-10, 176 pounds. However, he’s only 27 years old and hasn’t experienced much wear and tear on his body. The Vikings are expecting him to maximize his potential as a starter, paying off their investment and becoming a reliable cornerback on a defense that needs long-term solutions at the position.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings free agent signing labeled ‘biggest surprise’ of offseason