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Apparently, The Vikings Have a Specific Player for “Sledgehammer Reps”
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- Apparently, The Vikings Have a Specific Player for “Sledgehammer Reps”
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
All gas, no brakes. Brian Flores is an aggressive playcaller who covets chaos.
Kevin O'Connell did his weekly chat with Paul Allen earlier in the week . Along the way, Coach O'Connell got into what makes the Vikings' defense special. Some of these reflections led to praising a backup 'backer, Ivan Pace, as Minnesota's designated player for "sledgehammer reps." Putting Mr. Pace onto the field means forfeiting some of that unpredictability in favor of leaning into the aggression. Sometimes, that's exactly what "The Mad Scientist" is looking for in his defense.
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The Vikings' Ivan Pace as a "Sledgehammer"
The linebacker position is arguably the deepest on Minnesota's roster .
LB1 Blake Cashman is playing elite football while LB2 Eric Wilson has continued with his physical, versatile role. Neither appears likely to cede playing time unless there's a health issue. Do note, though, that Jake Golday — the 2nd Round draftee from the 2026 NFL Draft — earned his most playing time of the season in the most recent game . Watch for how Golday gets used (or not used) in the coming weeks.
Sep 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (2) dance after Rogers picked up a fumble against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
And then there's Ivan Pace , the 2023 UDFA of Vikings lore.
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In his six games of 2026, Pace has picked up 13 tackles to stand alongside his 0.5 sack. There are then a pair of quarterback hits alongside a single tackle for loss. He has earned these statistics within his 51 snaps on defense and 131 snaps on specials.
So, a part-time option for Brian Flores while being a mainstay for Matt Daniels.
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) kneels in the end zone before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
What's going to be fascinating to monitor is how Mr. Pace gets deployed in the upcoming games. The Lions, for instance, boast players such as RB Jahmyr Gibbs, TE Sam LaPorta, and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown as guys who can turn modest catches into explosive gains. Can Pace get leaned on in Week 8 ?
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Something that's sometimes missed in the broader conversation of the Flores defense is that aggression doesn't walk alone as the sole defining attribute. Being able to generate confusion is critical, as well. Part of the secret sauce, then, is to lean on players who can do multiple things well. Think showing pressure before dropping out as a well-known example.
Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, Harrison Smith, and Josh Metellus stand out as guys who appear equally comfortable going forward and backward. Pace, a sledgehammer, isn't among these players. Not, at least, in the same way.
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malachi Fields (0) catches a touchdown pass as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) defends during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
No matter where things go from here, Ivan Pace Jr. has been a fantastic success story in the Twin Cities. He's a great blitzer who can shine on specials and help in run defense. Getting a talent with that ability in the undrafted portion of the offseason is terrific work from former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
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Kickoff between the Vikings and the Lions is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, November 1st. Grab your leftover Halloween candy and look for the Vikings' sledgehammer of a linebacker.
Also Read on Vikings Territory: Know Your Enemy: Week 8 at Detroit Lions
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