The Minnesota Vikings entered last offseason determined to improve upon a 14-3 record in 2024 that ultimately ended in a 27-9 wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. That led to an aggressive offseason spending spree in which the Vikings spent $262,532,500 on free agents, the second-highest total in the league.

Of course, Minnesota not only failed to improve on its 2024 season but also missed the postseason entirely in 2025. Much of the blame was pointed at the quarterback position, but the money allocated to outside free agents didn't pay off.

For this series, we'll review the free agent acquisitions the Vikings made in 2025. Not every player was a bust, but few lived up to their offseason billing. Combined with instability at quarterback, the season was likely doomed from the start.

We'll start with the Vikings' first major outside move: cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who reportedly signed with the team within an hour of the new league year starting.

Contract: Two years/ $11.045 million

Games: 17

PFF Grade: 73.8 Grade, 2nd among Vikings defenders (min. 200 snaps)

Key Stats: 2 INT (1 TD), 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery (1 TD), 3 pass break-ups

Rodgers put on one of the great defensive performances you'll ever see in the Vikings' Week 3 win over the Bengals. The speedy cornerback intercepted Jake Browning in the first quarter and ran the ball back 87 yards for a touchdown to give Minnesota a 14-0 lead.

Cincinnati began threatening late in the second quarter before Rodgers forced a fumble, picked it up, and returned it 66 yards for another touchdown, giving the Vikings a comfortable 24-3 lead.

Rodgers wasn't content, though, forcing another fumble the very next drive. He became the first player in league history to force two fumbles and score two defensive touchdowns in the same game, leading the Vikings to a dominant 48-10 victory.

PFF gave Rodgers a perfect 99.9 grade for the game, the first time they had ever done so in the PFF era (dating back to 2006).

Unfortunately, Rodgers' dominant performance did two things. One, it may have influenced how offenses approached Minnesota the rest of the season. After the Vikings forced five total turnovers against the Bengals, they only had two takeaways in the next eight games combined.

That meant fewer splash plays for everyone, Rodgers included. Because Minnesota rarely played with a commanding lead after that hot start, opposing offenses were able to stay patient and avoid risky throws.

Fortunately, Rodgers is still just 28 and has shown he can be counted on in Brian Flores' system. Rodgers joined Byron Murphy, Jr. as the only two Vikings cornerbacks to play over 200 snaps on defense (no, that isn't a typo).

For $5.5 million per year, Rodgers ultimately provided strong value, even if his production came in flashes rather than steady weekly dominance.

Hopefully, another year in Flores' system, along with a better offense to help aid the defense, can help Rodgers reach new heights in 2026.