An active run in 2025 free agency for the Minnesota Vikings had to start somewhere, and head coach Kevin O'Connell revealed the influence that defensive coordinator Brian Flores had over one of the team's first reported signings back in March.
"Isaiah was a guy that Flo really identified pretty early. And historically, I haven't been doing this long with Flo, but when Flo kinda has that tone in his voice about guys — I'm not gonna mention the other ones that he has had that in his voice about — but he's been pretty darn accurate. And that guy, whether playing for us or somebody else, has immediately shown up. So no pressure on Isaiah, but he definitely got that evaluation from Flo."
"Isaiah" is cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, and during minicamp in June, Flores confirmed his affinity that goes back a few years.
"Isaiah's been on my radar since he was at UMass, Flores said. [A] fast playmaker, [I] think he's one of these kind of late-round guys who found his way in the league in the kicking game and got in some games and made some plays.
I've always thought he was a good player and was ascending, and the opportunity presented itself that we could maybe acquire him. I was all in, and I'm happy we got him. He's been a great addition. He's got a great kind of football IQ and acumen."
Rodgers is projected for a big role as a starter for the Vikings this season. With only 13 career starts and a lost season due to a gambling suspension in 2023 on his resume, there are some natural questions.
But PFF was complimentary of his work in a small role for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, and Flores's wanting to add him to the Minnesota defense is meaningful. Rodgers' work this offseason drew praise from coaches and teammates.
Minnesota Vikings CB Isaiah Rodgers sets big (and surely tongue in-cheek) goal for 2025
At training camp, Rodgers recently discussed how the role and opportunity for him with the Vikings were a differentiator in picking the team he signed with in free agency.
"I just looked at, you know, the stats don't lie", Rodgers said. "The led the league in interceptions (last year), so that's something I wanted to be a part of."
Rodgers was then asked if he has a goal in mind for interceptions during the coming season.
"I put 15 in my notes, Rodgers said, clearly kidding. "Just in case, if I fell a little short for it, still probably get 10."
They say setting big goals pulls you through the smaller milestones along the way. Rodgers saying he put 15 interceptions in his "notes" was surely intentional, since the NFL single-season record is 14, set by Dick "Night Train" Lane in 1952.
The last time someone had 12 interceptions in a season was Lester Hayes with 13 in 1980, and just nine players in this century (since 2000) have had double-digit interceptions in a season.
Leading the Vikings in interceptions this season is probably an unspoken? goal for Rodgers, and Byron Murphy did it with six last season. But there's nothing wrong with putting some big goals into the universe, even with what was clearly a tongue-in-cheek vibe.