 kneels in the end zone before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Ivan-Pace-Jr.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=684,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Ivan-Pace-Jr.jpg”><figcaption><span>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</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. will be a restricted free agent next month, meaning the franchise could rather easily re-sign him — or let him explore a new team for 2026 and beyond. If both parties choose the latter, we have the top free-agent landing spots for the 25-year-old.</p>
<p><strong>His size won’t scare the right defenses, but the leaguewide need for speed and blitz-happiness might land Pace Jr. a starting job outside Minnesota. </strong></p>
<p>Teammate Eric Wilson took Pace Jr.’s starting job in 2025, and with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah out as general manager, Pace Jr. could opt for a fresh start elsewhere, believing he still has the juice to start.</p>
<h2>Pace Jr. Landing Spots Ranked from Least to Most Likely</h2>
<p>Ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely), these are the most likely destinations for Pace Jr. if he leaves the Vikings. </p>
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6. Pittsburgh Steelers
Behind Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, the Steelers could use some linebacking depth in 2026, a campaign that will be led by a non-Mike Tomlin coach for the first time in almost 20 years. Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan has shown no hesitation in employing “short” linebackers as of late, evidenced by roster spots for players like Devin Bush and Elandon Roberts.
Pace Jr. could join Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh on a modest contract.
5. Dallas Cowboys
There’s not a totally direct link between the two, but Vikings defensive line coach Marcus Dixon just left Minnesota to lead the Cowboys’ defensive linemen in 2026. Dixon knows Pace Jr.
Starting linebaker Kenneth Murray is on tap for free agency, and if he leaves, Pace Jr. could theoretically swoop in and grab his spot. Dallas’ defense ranked 32nd in the NFL in EPA per play in 2025; it needs all the help it can get. Pace Jr. could take off with a fresh start on Jerry Jones’s team.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
There’s one connection here, and it’s often meaningful: Pace Jr. grew up in Cincinnati and [checks notes] played college ball at Cincinnati. He’s a Bearcat.
Signing with the Bengals would be a homecoming for the free-agent-to-be. Pace Jr. could serve as immediate depth to young LBs Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter in Cincinnati.
The Bengals have about $55 million in cap space at the moment. Because Pace Jr. was benched in 2025, his next contract won’t break the bank.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
LBs Devin Lloyd and Dennis Gardneck are free agents, leaving IDP fantasy football god Foysade Oluokun as a last man standing of sorts this offseason in the Jaguars’ LB room.
2. New England Patriots
The Patriots will play in the Super Bowl on Sunday, so the last thing on their minds is free-agent linebackers in March.
Still, Robert Spillane battled injuries in 2025, while former Viking Christian Elliss may not be a long-term solution for a New England team that hopes to compete for the Super Bowl indefinitely.
A man named Mike Smith is the Patriots’ outside linebackers coach. Guess where he came from? The Vikings. Smith served as the outside linebackers/pass-rush specialist in Minnesota from 2023 to 2024, which were also known as the golden years for Pace Jr.
1. Washington Commanders
The logic here is elementary, and it makes the case for Pace Jr. to Washington his top landing spot in free agency.
The Commanders hired Daronte Jones last week as the new defensive coordinator, a promotion for the man who previously worked as the Vikings’ defensive passing game coordinator under Brian Flores. Jones is ultra-familiar with Pace Jr.’s game and might believe he can restore him to 2023 and 2024 form.
Meanwhile, the Commanders’ linebackers are not young: Bobby Wagner (35) and Frankie Luvu (29). Wagner is also a free agent.
 celebrates after recording a sack during second-quarter action against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov 10, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The energetic defender pumped up teammates and fans following the defensive stop as Minnesota’s unit continued to generate pressure throughout the first half. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Ivan-Pace-Jr.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=578,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Ivan-Pace-Jr.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Ivan-Pace-Jr.jpg” alt=”Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. celebrates after a sack against the Jaguars.”><figcaption>Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. celebrates after finishing a sack at EverBank Stadium, with November 10, 2024 embedded mid-paragraph during second-quarter action against Jacksonville. The burst of energy highlights Pace’s impact as Minnesota’s defense applied steady pressure, feeding off the moment while teammates and the crowd responded to the stop. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Don’t be surprised if Jones drags a few Vikings free agents to Washington, perhaps Pace Jr., Eric Wilson, or Fabian Moreau.</p>
<p>Our Kyle Joudry even called Pace Jr. a trade candidate last month:</p>
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<p>No matter how things proceed, Ivan Pace Jr. is a major success for Minnesota. He got scooped up as an undrafted free agent, almost instantly generating optimism. The key thing that makes Mr. Pace unique is that he fully lived up to (surpassed?) the wildest hopes. Since becoming a Viking, Pace has played in 45 NFL games, starting 27.</p>
<p>That’s 45 more games — and, crucially, 27 more starts — than the majority of UDFA adds. He has 236 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions within his career. In all likelihood, the linebacker is going to be too pricey to keep. Minnesota has a pile of cap debt to sort through, so retaining someone who deserves a raise is difficult, especially with the flaws in his game. Getting a Day 3 pick would be a good return.</p>
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<p>Free agency is 44 days away. </p>
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