Colorado football turns up the heat this spring as a surprise quarterback draft pick stirs the pot.

With Julian Lewis snubbed as the top QB selection in favor of true freshman Kanel Sweetwine, locker room dynamics and competitive fire reach new heights.

Is this a tactical ploy to motivate Lewis, or the start of a real QB controversy?

I dive deep into the spring practice draft and the leadership pressure mounting on Lewis as Colorado’s new wave of talent acclimates.

Coach Prime’s sky-high salary raises eyebrows nationally. Still, I make what I think is a compelling case for Deion Sanders’ worth, highlighting his transformative impact: quadrupling win totals, sparking record ticket sales, and delivering $3 billion in publicity value for Boulder.

The debate rages—are wins and losses the only metric, or is Prime’s star power the very lifeblood Colorado needs to compete in the Big 12?

Spring ball hasn’t even started, but injuries loom large: eight Buffs—including top runners and receivers—face time on the sidelines, threatening depth and position battles.

Can Colorado’s new faces make the most of these openings, or will persistent injury woes undermine momentum?

I break down the immediate impact, the risk to player development, and what Colorado must do to keep its roster healthy and competitive.

Will Julian Lewis rise to the challenge? Will Coach Prime’s investment pay off, and can Colorado overcome its injury bug to deliver on soaring spring expectations?

This episode covers it all—competition, controversy, and optimism—as the Buffaloes chase a statement season.

Cal State Northridge is making a run in the Big West, and people might need to start paying attention.

Last week, I focused on UC Irvine and Hawai’i. This week, I zero in on the Matadors ahead of their home game on Thursday against the Anteaters.

I know there are a million things to do in L.A., but attending a CSUN game is becoming one of the better choices for basketball aficionados.

During the Matadors’ seven-game winning streak, they’ve had two different players score at least 30 points in a game, and three with 20.

Josiah Davis scored 31 in an overtime victory over Santa Barbara last Thursday, and Larry Hughes II had 32 against Cal Poly on February 5th.

Mahmoud Fofana also had back-to-back 22-point games entering 2026.

This three-headed monster on offense has proven too much for opponents during this streak. Davis, Hughes II, and Fofana have combined for at least 78 points in their last seven contests.

Hughes II leads the team, averaging 18.2 points per game, while shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc.

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CSUN’s dramatic run could probably have been predicted after they went on a seven-game run last year, around the same time.

But the Matadors lost number eight to UC San Diego last season, and faltered down the stretch, losing their first game in both the Big West and NIT tournaments.

Now, just like last year, they have a chance to host a top team at Premier America Credit Union Arena.

But the outcome remains unwritten.

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The key to the Matadors’ success this season has been their dynamic offense, which ranks 59th in the nation in points per game.

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But this shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Newman promised to bring “an exciting, fast paced, team-oriented style of basketball back to the valley” when he was hired, and to do it “by lighting up the scoreboard and competing for championships.”

He has done just that.

Before Cal State Northridge, he won everywhere he coached, bringing a 206-98 record to Northridge.

He was already known within Big West circles after serving as an assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton for 10 years.

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Writes about football and basketball as a Senior Writer and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Show” for SuperWest Sports.

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Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko continued his hot streak in front of goal against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.

Benjamin Sesko was booed by home supporters as he left the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night, but he did not flinch as he walked towards the team bus. The 22-year-old’s temperament is one of his biggest strengths.

Michael Carrick named Sesko on the bench for a sixth game in a row on Merseyside. Other players of a similar age might have sulked, but the Slovenia international has just got on with his job with no fuss.

Sesko delivered off the bench again to net his sixth goal in seven appearances. He is the most in-form striker in the Premier League, yet hasn’t made a start during Carrick’s interim tenure so far.

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The conversation in the build-up to the Everton game was about whether Sesko would get his first start under Carrick, who said, “I get why everyone is making a big deal out of it,” after the 1-0 win.

The calls for Sesko to start this weekend will be deafening. The striker has made himself impossible to ignore, although his response to a question about how it feels not to be starting spoke volumes about his character.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Sesko said: “We are talking, of course, but he [Carrick] believes in me, everyone believes in me. they are getting me ready to start as soon as possible. It’s more about me showing up when it’s important, no matter how many minutes I’m getting, I’m focusing on delivering and trying to help the team secure the wins.”

When asked whether being gradually bedded in had helped him this season, he responded: “Of course. I’m getting settled in the league from game to game. Again, I’m not even thinking about ‘I have to start, I have to start’.

“For me, it’s just whenever the coach decides to put them there or not, I’m just going to be there. If I get the next minutes, five minutes, I’m going to use them and for me it’s just about trying to enjoy and delivering for the team.”

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Sesko copped flak earlier in the season from pundits. Gary Neville said he was “miles off it” compared to United’s other summer signings. Ruben Amorim even said he was “struggling a little bit”.

Sources at Carrington believe Sesko might not have seen Neville’s comment, as he is rarely on social media. He prefers reading books at home and watching basketball.

Sesko is embracing the pressure that comes with a £66.4million price tag, and a transfer to the biggest club in England. “For me, the way I look at the pressure, it’s something that, if I want to be a good player, I have to have. I take it as a privilege,” he said.

“It’s something that has [to be there] if you want to play at the highest level, and it’s about accepting it and not really caring about it. For me, it didn’t really affect me [the pressure to score goals this season] and I don’t think for Cunha and Bryan as well.”

Speaking about his relationship with Cunha and Mbeumo, Sesko said: “We are understanding each other. There is a lot on the training field where we are working a lot. It’s also the way Bryan made a pass [for the winning goal] because he saw that I was running, he saw that I wanted that ball.

“And obviously, with his quality to make a perfect pass because it’s also not easy to do that to put it directly there. That’s what it’s about, to have such quality in the team. Obviously, it looks so easy [to finish], but because you have so much time, many things are on your mind, but I chose one corner, and I went fully for that.”

Sesko has made an electric start to 2026, but he was keen to credit Carrick and his coaching staff for the work they have done at Carrington. “Everyone is working for each other and I said many times the coaching staff in general, not just Carrick, but also the others he has beside him are unbelievable,” he said.

“They are working on individuals and you can see that on the pitch. In the end, to win so many games and secure so many points, it’s made out of details and that’s how we get all these points.”

Travis Binnion, formerly Under-21 manager, has been a big help for Sesko. “After the trainings, it’s work in the box, on the edge of the box, short contacts because in the Premier League you don’t have time,” he explained.

“This is where it’s really helping me, and not just me, but also the other players. I’m really happy that I can work with [Binnion] because he’s helped me a lot.”

Speaking about his mental preparation, he added: “The most you can improve is on the pitch because the ball is, in the end, the thing that has to hit the net, and this is where the most work comes out. Obviously, it’s really important when I arrive home to do some work, which is really important for the mental part.”

A rumour circulated that Sesko had spoken to Dimitar Berbatov about his finishing technique. Sesko confirmed it was not true, but said it would be “nice” to speak to him before crediting the coaching staff again. “They are doing individual work each day, which is really helping me to focus,” he said.

Sesko politely said “thank you so much” when he was congratulated at the beginning of the five-minute chat. “As much as it means to me, it means more to our team to secure the win because it was a really tough game,” he said.

“We were fighting from the start. It was an interesting game, but even though in the end it was quite hard because of the corners, we were fighting and secured the win, which was really, really important.”

Sesko is becoming a key part of this United team – and his best years are ahead of him.

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The Minnesota Vikings have outwardly professed they will add another quarterback this offseason, likely to pair with 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy in a summer training camp competition — or at least to employ a top-tier backup alternative. But according to Yahoo Sports‘ Charles Robinson, McCarthy could be traded if the right deal presents itself.

It’s rumor territory, yet it connects to Minnesota’s offseason, cap planning, and a desperate QB market.

The report is especially noteworthy as the NFL Combine begins this week, and general managers + head coaches converge on one spot to wheel and deal.

Combine Week Puts the Vikings’ Quarterback Situation under a Microscope

Don’t rule out a McCarthy trade altogether, says Yahoo Sports.

Robinson on McCarthy

Most Vikings fans don’t have McCarthy on the trade block, but Robinson subtly challenged that position on Friday.

With the Combine kicking off Monday, he wrote, “Throw in some young players who might get a call or two just to see if they are available on the trade market, including Buffalo Bills wideout Keon Coleman, Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr., Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson and Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Thomas, Richardson and McCarthy are not expected to be officially on the trade block, but all three could garner some interest and calls.”

“Thomas seems less likely to be dealt with the Jaguars moving Travis Hunter primarily to cornerback. McCarthy won’t be dealt unless the Vikings are presented with a quarterback option that effectively renders any chance of him having a future as moot.”

What’s the Right Deal?

Robinson claimed McCarthy could be jettisoned via trade if his future became “moot.” That’s a rather meaty ultimatum, one that suggests the Vikings would be deep-sea fishing for his replacement. It’s rare for a quarterback-whispering head coach like Kevin O’Connell to draft a player in Round 1 and cast him off less than two years later.

Therefore, to trade McCarthy, per the Robinson theory, the incoming quarterback would have to be quite splashy. The list might look like this:

• Joe Burrow
• Justin Herbert
• Lamar Jackson
• Baker Mayfield

And there’s just no evidence to suggest any of the players’ teams will trade those passers.

Team Control for Up to Three Years

Meanwhile, McCarthy remains under contract with the Vikings through the end of 2028 if Minnesota eventually exercises his fifth-year option. They achieve no major cap relief by trading McCarthy. The franchise would basically sever ties altogether because it found something proven and better.

McCarthy struggled in 2025, his second year in the pros, sans a handful of big moments in clutch spots, as well as a memorable three-game stretch against the Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants, when McCarthy played at a Pro Bowl clip against three poor defenses.

It’s too early to mail it on McCarthy — unless he’s required to land Burrow, for example.

Aaron Rodgers in Play? Malik Willis?

Robinson was actually full of Vikings quarterback theories.

He noted on Aaron Rodgers’s situation: “The future of Aaron Rodgers will be a pressing question for the Pittsburgh Steelers — at least as it pertains to the organization’s other options and what kind of timeline there would be for a Rodgers decision.”

“It’s possible we exit the combine under the presumption that the Steelers are going to move forward and try to find their future QB, which would shift the Rodgers conversation back to the Vikings, whom he was interested in before landing in Pittsburgh last offseason.”

The rumor mill featured Rodgers to Minnesota front and center last offseason before the 42-year-old signed with the Steelers.

Robinson also mentioned Malik Willis, the league’s top free-agent quarterback, while dropping the Vikings’ name once again.

“The ballpark speculation in the agent community is some kind of two-year deal averaging $30 to $35 million a season with $40 to $45 million guaranteed. That would put Willis in position to go back to the table next offseason and negotiate a longer term deal that tacks on to the end of 2027 and extends his guaranteed money out into a three-year window through the 2028 season,” he scribed.

“There are varying opinions on the numbers and structure, not to mention the potential interest. Willis feels like the first big quarterback domino that has to fall in March to trigger a larger migration. If he were to land in Pittsburgh, that then puts Rodgers — if he still wants to play — onto the market for the Vikings or any other suitors. And once Willis is off the board, the teams that ultimately don’t have him as an option will then have to reassess.”

Willis will turn 27 in May and may be the league’s next big reclamation story, akin to Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield.

It’s also worth noting that Robinson isn’t a hot take merchant; if he says McCarthy could be traded for a big fish, that’s a credible assertion.

India’s semifinal hopes in the T20 World Cup 2026 now depend not just on winning, but on winning big. After cruising through the group stage unbeaten — including a statement victory over Pakistan — India suffered a major setback in the Super 8s. A crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa has left Suryakumar Yadav’s men under pressure in Group 1. With a net run rate of -3.800, India are well behind West Indies (+5.350) and South Africa (+3.800).For India, two wins alone may not guarantee qualification. Given their poor NRR, they need emphatic victories to stay in control of their fate.

INDIA QUALIFICATION SCENARIO

Following the heavy loss to South Africa, India face Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26 before taking on West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.To remain in serious contention, India must first secure a commanding win over Zimbabwe. A victory by a margin of around 100 runs could play a crucial role in repairing their damaged net run rate.If India, South Africa and West Indies all finish on four points — a very realistic scenario — NRR will decide the semifinalists. With India currently lagging far behind, they must bridge the gap quickly.For instance, if India post 220 batting first, they would need to bowl Zimbabwe out for approximately 120 or less to make a significant improvement in NRR. A narrow win could leave them dependent on other results.

Scenario 1 – India win both matchesIf India beat both West Indies and Zimbabwe, they will finish on four points. And if South Africa win all their matches, both India and South Africa will qualify for the semins. If India win both matches and South Africa lose one of their games, three teams could end up tied on four points. In that case, qualification would be decided by Net Run Rate.If India win both their matches and South Africa lose both their games, then India and West Indies will qualify for the semi-final,Scenario 2 – India win one matchIf India pull off only one win, then they will be eliminated irrespective of what happens in other results of the group.Remaining Super 8 Fixtures – Group 1February 26: South Africa vs West Indies (Ahmedabad)February 26: India vs Zimbabwe (Chennai)March 1: South Africa vs Zimbabwe (Delhi)March 1: India vs West Indies (Kolkata)For the defending champions, the margin for error has vanished. The road to the semifinals now demands not just victories, but dominance.

A lifelong New York Yankees fan is asking the people of California to make him their next governor. 

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who grew up in the heyday of the 1970-80s Yankees-Dodgers rivalry, admitted he had mixed emotions when Shohei Ohtani and company beat his childhood team in the 2024 World Series. 

“I did [celebrate]. I was sad because I wanted the Yankees to win, but at the time, as a baseball fan I also noticed the Dodgers were a better team. The Dodgers deserved to win and I was very happy to be from the Los Angeles area,” Bianco told Fox News Digital. 

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Around that same time, Bianco watched one of his Republican colleagues, and a staple in the 70s-80s Dodgers-Yankees rivalry, former Dodgers star Steve Garvey, make a run at a U.S. Senate seat in California. Bianco campaigned with Garvey. But Garvey came up well short against Democrat incumbent Adam Schiff that year.

Now, Bianco, who is currently a frontrunner for the California governorship in many 2026 polls, believes that two years of Democratic leadership since Garvey’s failed run has only strengthened the case for voting Republican in the Golden State.

“We’re in a little bit worse off scenario than we were in 2024,” Bianco said. “Californians are realizing that politics are corrupt, our state government is corrupt, and crime is really out of control.” 

And sports hasn’t been spared any concerns in the state.

With the Winter Olympics now over, and the Summer Olympics coming to Los Angeles just over two years from now, anxiety has mounted over the feasibility of the city being able to host the games, due to crime rates, homelessness, damage from the 2025 wildfires, and rising taxes. 

And on the youth front, the state faces an ongoing wave of biological male transgender athletes competing in girls’ high school sports, as California leadership has refused to comply with President Donald Trump’s mandate to ensure only female athletes compete in girls’ sports. The state’s refusal has prompted a Department of Justice lawsuit, multiple federal investigations, as dozens of California girls facing life-changing trauma, with some filing la”wsuits of their own. 

Bianco thinks he has solutions for both issues. 

The 2028 LA Olympics

As a sheriff, Bianco believes that if Los Angles was set to hold the Olympics this summer, in the city’s current state, it would not be possible to do so. 

“No, I don’t think so,” Bianco said of the city being able to host the games if they occurred this year. 

“Everyone’s wondering how they’re going to arrange the Olympics… we don’t have the money to dedicate to this, we don’t have the updated resources to dedicate to this, for transportation or even housing… I think it is absolutely embarrassing… I think the U.S. is going to have an amazing Olympics, but for the city of Los Angeles it’s certainly not a proud moment.” 

Bianco pointed to financial mismanagement and alleged fraud in the state government.

Los Angeles continues to experience one of the nation’s largest homeless populations, with approximately 72,000+ individuals, driven by severe shortages in affordable housing and high rent, per the LA Homeless Services Authority. 

Bianco warned of what he expects Democrat leadership would do if they remain in power when the Olympics comes around. 

“They will go in at the last minute, and they will forcibly remove all of them and it’s not like they remove them, they just force them to the outskirts away from the perimeters of where these events are going to be,” Bianco said. “It’s not good for anyone, it’s not good for those events, it’s not good for those neighborhoods, it’s certainly not good for the people who are homeless.”

Bianco said a more feasible solution would require possibly years of resource re-allocation, which he hopes to take on as the state’s next governor. He would eliminated funding to 

“We will have a year, possibly a year and a half to two years, to make sure we address the homeless situation, and I guarantee you that’s enough time,” Bianco said. 

“It really isn’t homeless, it’s not homes, it’s drug and alcohol addiction, combined with mental health issues. And we have to be honest and we have to start addressing it for what it is. So you eliminate all the money going to the non-profits and NGOs that’s being wasted, abused and funneled back into politics. You stop that immediately.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a republican candidate for California governor, stops to speak with a woman during a tour of Skid Row in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.  (Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

“You put a small portion of that into the drug and alcohol rehab and the mental health rehab, and the centers that treat both. Because right now those don’t exist. I can almost guarantee you that we can address 90% of the homeless issue that we see on the streets within the first year. Within the second year, we can have it all gone.” 

There is also an issue of financial strain on athletes coming into the state.

Bianco pointed to the recent Super Bowl in Santa Clara, and the financial burden that hit the players who competed in it simply because they had to pay California taxes.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold lost approximately $71,000 due to California’s strict “jock tax”. While earning a $178,000 winner’s bonus, the week spent in California for Super Bowl LX triggered high state taxes on his, amounting to roughly $249,000, as the tax applies to prorated earnings from his three-year, $105 million contract. 

For the Olympic athletes coming to the city in 2028, especially Americans, many of whom make far less than the average NFL player, Bianco worries how the state’s current tax system could put them at a disadvantage due to financial constraints. 

“It’s going to seriously affect them with the cost of living here,” Bianco said. “They don’t make a lot of money… it’s astronomically more expensive than any place across the country, so it’s going to be detrimental for those people.”

Bianco has proposed eliminating the state income tax, intending to replace lost revenue with income from oil production. He has also stated that as governor, he would eliminate the gas tax and oppose a “mileage tax.”

“Taxes are hurting everyone,” Bianco said. 

Trans athletes in girls’ sports

California has been the nation’s biggest hot bed for high school and college scandals involving biological male trans athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports. 

Current California Gov. Gavin Newsom has said he believes males in female sports is “deeply unfair” but hasn’t taken any steps to address. Newsom’s office provided a statement to Fox News Digital in September, suggesting the issue is beyond his control and responsibility. 

“For the law to change, the legislature would need to send the Governor a bill. They have not,” part of the statement read. 

Bianco said Newsom’s office is not telling the truth.

“Every time he opens his mouth he’s not telling the truth. He’s telling his version of what he wants you to believe… The reality is the governor is the top executive officer in this entire state and he sets the rules” Bianco said. 

“That’s the governor lying to push the blame onto somebody else because he doesn’t want to be held responsible for what’s happening in our schools and our girls, because he wants to be president, and he knows the majority of the country is never ever ever going to vote for him knowing that he won’t stop this, so he’s blaming someone else.” 

Bianco said he would use “force” as governor to ensure that girls’ sports are protected.

“You force people to not,” he said of how to handle schools letting males in girls’ sports. “In our high schools and in our school system, if they are going to allow it, we will not fund that. We will not fund the school, we will not provide them with their money.” 

But preventing the issue from persisting is only half the battle. The fact is, the issue has persisted in California now for several years, and the state and many residents are dealing with the aftermath. 

Young male children in California have even been transitioned at schools, without their parents’ permission, and later placed on girls’ sports teams and in thier locker rooms.

UFC LEGEND ENDORSES PRO-LAW ENFORCEMENT PICK FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR: ‘WE NEED HIS STRENGTH’

Now, the state faces a lawsuit from the DOJ over its policy, while many schools face individualized lawsuits for related incidents. 

Bianco believes he could “easily” settle the DOJ lawsuit simply by complying with Trump’s mandate. 

But the individual incidents may require more steps, according to Bianco.

In Bianco’s home county of Riverside, two separate lawsuits have been filed against school districts. 

A major state-funded university, San Jose State University, has been found by the U.S. Department of Education to have violated Title IX in its handling of a transgender volleyball player from 2022-24, and faces a lawsuit from former athletes and a former coach over the same issue. 

Bianco believes the young women who have been affected by it are deserving of financial compensation, compensation from the schools and compensation directly from the state.

“Some [girls] have been seriously injured, and some were just emotionally traumatized. The schools should be paying for that. The state government should be paying for that,” Bianco said. “Our civil process allows for monetary remedies for situations like this, and they should be getting tons of money, because they have seriously been victimized.

“There certainly has to be those arrangements made for those lawsuits, those girls that are suing… you have to settle it… or you’re going to pay big money. So they are going to get money out of this and they should. They were wronged, they were deeply wronged.” 

Under the current system, thousands of California school employees are legally required to be complicit in the system that allows trans athletes in girls’ sports, but also the system that allows males to gender transition without their parents’ consent or knowledge.

Some school employees have been fired for refusing to be complicit. 

Bianco has a message for all school employees about how to handle this issue. He encourages school employees to, in the short term, risk their employment by not complying with state laws.

“Stand up and do the right thing,” Bianco said to the state’s school employees. “Thank God we have teachers that are standing up for that, and they’re doing the right thing, and they’re absolutely refusing, and they’re being fired. Take the badge of honor. Because then you sue, like these teachers are doing it, and now we’re finding that they’re winning… 

“Your job as an adult is to protect our kids.” 

Bianco also warned of consequences to the school employees that do comply if he becomes governor.

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“Absolutely,” Bianco said when asked if he would support consequences to school employees who are complying with the state law on trans athletes in girls’ sports and gender transitions for minors. 

“Elected officials are only afraid of one thing, and that’s not getting elected again, and when they know they’re not going to get elected again because they’re harming our girls or they’re not protecting our kids, they’re going to finally be forced to do the right thing, and we’ll make sure these changes are taken care of.” 

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NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus is known for cashing in big on behalf of his clients, and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has hired him, with free agency two weeks away. Rosenhaus’s nickname is “The Shark,” so Pace Jr. has quite the asset on his side for March.

Pace’s move to Rosenhaus adds juice to his RFA outlook and keeps Minnesota’s plans worth monitoring.

No one is sure whether Pace Jr. will be back in Minnesota, but the Rosenhaus hire may signal a new chapter.

Reading the Tea Leaves on Pace’s New Representation

It’s another little hint for free agency.

Pace Jr. Hires Rosenhaus

Rosenhaus’s agency kept it pretty straightforward late last week, tweeting, “Welcome to the Family, Ivan Pace Jr.”

Here’s the official tweet:

Rosenhaus also notably announced relationships with Vikings free-agent safety Tavierre Thomas and former Vikings defender Reddy Steward, who played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025.

A Future Totally Up in the Air

Pace Jr.’s diminished role was already apparent before the 2026 offseason.

After promising rookie and 2024 seasons, Pace saw his playing time decrease as Eric Wilson solidified his position. The emergence and steadiness of Wilson further reduced Pace’s opportunities, a shift accelerated by Pace Jr.’s early-season missed tackles. Wilson’s consistent performance kept him atop the depth chart.

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The decline came at an unfortunate time for Pace. After starting 27 games over his first two seasons (2023-2024) and earning a strong 77.1 PFF grade as a rookie, his performance dipped in 2025, resulting in a 42.3 grade and hindering his chances of an early contract extension.

As a restricted free agent, Pace remains under the Vikings’ control. However, the team’s defensive success with Wilson in a larger role provides them with options regarding Pace’s future.

Pace will undoubtedly seek to regain a more prominent role. Minnesota retains the flexibility to retain him should their linebacker plans change, and the coming weeks should clarify whether his reduced role will persist.

Our Kyle Joudry noted on Pace Jr. last month, “Ivan Pace Jr. is capable of being an attacking ‘backer on defense and a nice part of special teams coverage. He may need to pursue those abilities with a different team. The undrafted talent quickly earned a promotion in the Twin Cities during his rookie season of 2023.”

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“Seeing him get sent on blitzes aplenty in Minnesota made sense from within a Brian Flores defense with a deficit of pass rushers (and talent more broadly). The 2024 and 2025 seasons, though, have seen reinforcements arrive for Coach Flores. The tactician calling the shots on defense minimized Pace’s role, seemingly tipping the team’s hand in the process. Look for the RFA to get moved out in a trade. A Day 3 draft selection should be the expectation.”

Possible Pace Jr. Destinations

Two weeks ago, we speculated on potential landing spots for Pace Jr. in 2026, identifying teams that align with his skill set and estimating his market value.

Washington is a strong contender because of its familiarity with him. The Commanders’ new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, previously worked with Pace Jr. in Minnesota and understands his capabilities, a connection that could be significant when considering restricted free agents in their prime.

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New England is another logical fit, largely because of its coaching staff. Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith held the same position in Minnesota when Pace Jr. was beginning his career, giving him insight into how Pace Jr. integrates into a defense.

Jacksonville, Dallas, and Cincinnati are also potential destinations. Cincinnati has a hometown advantage that could influence negotiations if the Bengals decide to bolster their linebacker depth with a local dude.

VikingsWire‘s Andrew Harbaugh on Pace Jr.’s free agency: “Pace Jr. saw his role diminish in 2025 with the emergence of Eric Wilson in the linebacker unit. Pace still has some juice as a pass rusher if they decide to go that route and bring him back.”

“It is hard to imagine him coming back to be a part of the linebacker group after seeing how he was in coverage and run support, but the pass-rushing juice is certainly there. A one-year deal would make sense to see what he can do, but time will tell on that front.”

Other Rosenhaus Clients

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Rosenhaus’s client list is huge; let’s get that out of the way. And among names that Vikings fans might recognize, here’s a peek:

• Abdul Carter
• Jalen Carter
• Nico Collins
• Christian Darrisaw
• Jonathan Greenard
• Javon Hargrave
• Aaron Jones
• Josh Metellus
• Chris Olave
• Josh Sweat
• Andrew Van Ginkel
• Kyren Williams

Rosenhaus also notably represented Rob Gronkowski and Terrell Owens in the past.

Pace Jr.’s free agency will heat up in two weeks when “legal tampering” gets underway on March 9th.

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