Ivan Pace Jr. overcame the odds last season to go from UDFA to a member of the Minnesota Vikings’ 53-man roster. He made plays on special teams and was part of a linebacker rotation that he could thrive in.
Fast forward to 2024, and Pace is using that momentum to be the face of the defense.
One way he has found himself as the center of attention is by being in the race for the green dot on defense with Blake Cashman. And Pace is exuding confidence to lift up the entire team before their first game of the year.
When asked about the matchup against the New York Giants by Darren Wolfson of ABC5, he responded bluntly.
“We ’bout to go crazy, man,” he said. “It ain’t even gonna be no matchup.”
The Vikings are a betting favorite, but barely. This game is going to be a lot closer than many people expect, so providing bulletin board material may not be in Pace and his team’s best interest.
On the flip side, that confidence can also make the difference the Vikings may need to get over the hump against the Giants. Either way, it will be a chippy game and could come down to one possession.
