EAGAN, Minn. — Isaiah Rodgers loves making an impact before and after kickoff.

The second-year Vikings cornerback and 2020 Colts sixth-round draft choice looks forward to tossing footballs with fans while donning festive footwear — he hinted at Halloween-inspired cleats for Sunday's game against his original team — every week.

That routine has become pregame protocol for Rodgers. He credited his former Indianapolis teammate, receiver Zach Pascal, for showing him the difference it can make — that is, the joyous feeling that a little special attention can bring to a person before the actual performance on the field.

Rodgers said "making people's days" is his main goal.

The 28-year-old's impact has thoroughly extended to Minnesota's No. 1 scoring defense.

Rodgers ranks third in passer rating against (43.8) among cornerbacks this season with a minimum of 100 coverage snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. The two perimeter players who have been stingier entering Week 7 are Trent McDuffie (21.1) and Josh Wallace (39.2) of the Los Angeles Rams.

Additionally, Rodgers has recorded a pass breakup in four consecutive games and is the third Vikings player under Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores with a streak at least that long, joining Colts safety Cam Bynum, who did it for the Purple from Oct. 23 to Nov. 12 in 2023 and Harrison Smith, who achieved a streak of five games over two different seasons from Jan. 7 to Sept. 29 in 2024.

The biggest leap for Rodgers from 2025 to now, he said, is fully understanding Flo's scheme.

"Last year I was jumping onto a ship that had a lot of guys who were here for 2-3 years, and just trying to hop on and trying to figure out, you know, 'Where am I going to fit in? Is it going to be here? Is it going to be there? Am I going to make enough plays to even fit in this system?' " Rodgers remarked. "I've realized that Flo' is not all about coming out and getting 20 interceptions. He just wants you to be where you need to be and control the game the way it's supposed to be controlled."

Rodgers is making a positive impression before and after the opening kickoff. In this Q&A, he shared insights on his growth as a player and person. Let's start with a throwback to his time with the Colts.

Q: How did playing alongside Xavier Rhodes and Stephon Gilmore help you as a young player?

A: "I knew couldn't get too much 'game' from Xavier because he's a huge corner (Rhodes is 6-foot-1, 220-ish pounds, whereas Rodgers is 5-10 and 180). I wasn't going to use certain techniques he had, because I'm smaller, so I was just trying to pick his brain on how to maximize the longevity of my career. And then with Stephon, by that time, he was near the backend of his career. He was out there on cruise control and still finding ways to make plays. I'm like, 'Yo, how you do this, how you do that?' He helped me a lot with treating my body right, and he also helped me a lot off the field, seeing him interact with his kids … so being a dad was something he taught me about, as well."

Q: On the topic of family, you've become famous — your son, too — for the "Hot Dog Dance" from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse that you performed in Week 2 at Soldier Field after recovering a fumble. I imagine that was a special moment for the Rodgers fam and was neat to see go viral?

A: "I told him I was going to do it Week 1. I told him I was going to make an interception, and I ended up dropping one of the easiest ones in my career. And I told him after that, 'I didn't get a chance to do it, so I'll do it next week.' Murph' (Byron Murphy, Jr.) ended up getting an interception in Week 2, and I did it then, but the cameras weren't rolling at the time. My moment ended up coming, though. And I told everybody whenever the moment came, I was going to do it. I thought it was just for me and him (my son), and it took off for the whole world. It's cool to see youth league guys doing it now."

Q: What does it mean to you to involve your family on game days?

A: "It means a lot. After I was suspended (for 2023), I had an opportunity to hang my head, but instead, I wanted to keep going. I wanted to find different ways to keep my name positive on social media platforms. So, if my son Googles his name, which is my name, he won't see the guy that was suspended. He'll see the positivity that I have helped spread since then."

Q: Basically … you're leaning into how social media can be used for good?

A: "I'm just trying to change the narrative, for one. For two, there's a lot of kids back home who look up to me and whose parents reach out. I talk to a lot of the kids, as well, on social media. They send me their highlights. I just try to do as much as I can to show them I'm a small kid from the town who made it out. It's not about how big you are, how fast you are or whatever, but you have got to find a way to get there. And being interactive with them and showing them that I can display what I'm talking about, as well — it feels good to know that they've got somebody to look up to."

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Q: The cleats you wear in warm-ups have gained traction, too. How are those ideas formed?

A: "It starts in the offseason. We start in April or March and dive deep on just writing a whole list of different characters, different activities that people like or any way we could turn it into a cleat — just try to be creative — so when the season comes we're not rushing trying to figure it out; or there's moments, for example, my daughter, she wanted mermaids for her birthday. 'Cool, let's do that.' Whatever is popular. You just try to keep it relevant."

Q: Is there a favorite pair that you've worn?

A: "My favorite is the next one. Whichever one I've got coming, it's going to be better than the last."

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