The Minnesota Vikings made numerous moves in the offseason, nearly spending $300 million on free agents, but one stands out as more important than any other.
CBS Sports writer Jared Dubin recently listed one player or multiple players on an NFL team as the most important non-QBs on the roster. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers was listed for the Vikings as he steps into an all-important starting cornerback position.
"The Vikes lost several players from last year's secondary, and will be counting on Rodgers to man one of the outside cornerback spots. He fared fairly well the last few years when counted on to step into the lineup for the Eagles, but he's likely to be a full-time starter now -- and in one of the most complex, difficult situations in the league.
Brian Flores walks a tight rope with his defensive scheme, and if Rodgers isn't up to the task, things might change dramatically on that side of the ball."
Isaiah Rodgers could make or break the 2025 season for the Minnesota Vikings
Flores has been high on Rodgers all offseason as he is seen as a starter on the Vikings' defense. That is a role that Rodgers isn't as familiar with in his career, but one that he has shown potential in being able to do.
He started three of his 15 games with the Philadelphia Eagles last year and played well. Rodgers put up 26 tackles and four pass deflections, but had a PFF overall grade of 76, which was ranked 21st out of 222 cornerbacks in the NFL.
The Vikings need a big season out of him after the defense was ranked 28th against the pass, allowing 242 yards per game. Rodgers joins Byron Murphy Jr. and Mekhi Blackmon at cornerback.
Getting Blackmon back is excellent news for the Vikings after he missed all of last year with an ACL injury. Murphy is a reliable cornerback, but plays more in the slot.
There's already a lot of pressure on the Vikings to win with new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy taking over the reins. Minnesota hopes that Rodgers works out and can be the shutdown corner they saw glimpses of in Philadelphia last year.