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.
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.”
“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.
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
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.
