Ivan Pace Jr. looks 'even more explosive' than he did last year

The Minnesota Vikings hit the jackpot last season when linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. went undrafted, and the Vikings were able to scoop him up as an undrafted free agent.

Pace Jr. would play a huge role in Brian Flores’ defense and was one of the better Vikings during his rookie campaign. He has been on record stating he will be wearing the green dot again this year and will communicate with the defense.

Could the year two linebacker be in store for an even bigger season? According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, Pace Jr. looks “even more explosive” this preseason than he did last year.

Lewis noted on Thursday that Pace Jr. picked apart the Cleveland Browns’ offense during the joint practice. The Cincinnati (OH) native recovered a fumble and intercepted Deshaun Watson, and Lewis said Pace Jr. “was essentially the football version of everything everywhere all at once.”

The Vikings signed former Texans’ linebacker Blake Cashman this offseason to pair alongside Pace Jr. Minnesota could quietly have an elite linebacker duo in ’24.