The Minnesota Vikings are hoping for a turnaround after missing the playoffs last year and pinning some of those hopes on their rookie class. While this year’s crop of rookies has some intriguing talents, Jake Golday may be at the top of the list as a versatile linebacker who can fit into Brian Flores’s defense in multiple ways.
That onboarding process started during last week’s minicamp when The Athletic’s Alec Lewis named Golday as one of the players that “popped” during the three days of practices. While it’s surprising that Lewis placed the second-round pick on his 53-man roster projection, he also hinted that it could come at the expense of Ivan Pace, who may be struggling to earn a job during training camp.
“The Vikings view Golday as [an Andrew Van Ginkel understudy, but they won’t force him into that role,” Lewis wrote. “In the short term, he will spend his time with the off-ball linebackers, able to fill in for Cashman or Wilson in the event of injury. Pace’s pass-rush potential keeps him in the fold, but Flores prefers not to play him on passing downs. The durability of this group will play a prominent role in the defense’s overall success.”
Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. could be the Minnesota Vikings' most surprising preseason cut
It’s important to note that Lewis had Pace making the cut in his projection, but his comments suggest that it may not be a lock. A heat-seeking missile out of Cincinnati, Pace won over fans with his aggressive style as an undrafted free agent, but has fallen out of favor over the past couple of seasons.
Pace had an outstanding rookie year with a 77.1 overall grade and 15 pressures on 109 pass-rushing snaps according to Pro Football Focus. But his coverage ability was a red flag, with 32 catches allowed for 182 yards with a pass breakup and an interception on 37 targets. As a result, his snap count went down to 454 in 2024 and 324 in 2025, and he continued to struggle in coverage with 38 receptions for 478 yards, three touchdowns, and no pass breakups on 48 targets.
Those struggles bled into his performance on special teams last season with a career-low 53.3 grade on 332 snaps. It also led to what may have been a pivotal moment in the Vikings' season in Week 11 when he got out of his coverage lane and sprung Devin Duvernay for a 56-yard kickoff return. The return set up a game-winning 48-yard field goal by Cairo Santos, and the game may have allowed the Chicago Bears to win the NFC North, which kept the Vikings out of the playoffs.
Through all of this, Pace has remained a strong pass-rusher, generating 49 pressures and 6.5 sacks on 242 pass-rushing snaps. But when he runs onto the field, defenses know what’s coming, and it’s an advantage they may not have if Golday receives some of his snaps.
While he began his career at Central Arkansas, Golday’s career took off in Cincinnati with 163 total tackles, 13 total tackles for loss, and five sacks in his final two seasons. PFF adds that Golday had 26 pressures on 116 pass-rushing snaps, and he was also respectable in coverage, allowing 39 catches for 303 yards and two touchdowns with three pass breakups.
With time also spent as an edge rusher, Golday could add more value to the defense that Pace cannot at this point. While Pace is cheap and can play special teams, the Vikings may favor another player who can do more than just rush the passer, which could leave Pace as a surprising cut in camp.
It may not be what fans expect, as many believe Golday can be Van Ginkel’s successor. But if he becomes an upgrade, it could give the Vikings the avenue to officially move on from Pace.
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