EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Monday announced they have tendered a one-year, right-of-first-refusal contract to restricted free agent Ivan Pace, Jr.

The move means Pace most likely will remain in Minnesota for his fourth NFL season in 2026. The 25-year-old linebacker started six of 17 games played last year and recorded 62 total tackles and a sack.

Another team could make an offer to Pace, but Minnesota will have the right to match any offer sheet.

As an undrafted rookie in 2023, Pace made 102 tackles and recorded one interception, one forced fumble and 2.5 sacks while starting 11 of 17 games. He showed great blitzing prowess across 11 games (10 starts) in his second campaign in 2024 with three sacks, in addition to 72 tackles, an interception and one fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown in a divisional matchup against Detroit.

Pace has amassed nearly 1,500 defensive snaps spanning three seasons under Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores, and he also contributed heavily on special teams in 2023 and 2025. He is one of three undrafted players to post 200-plus tackles on defense and 6.0 sacks in their first three NFL seasons since 1994 (London Fletcher and Jerrell Freeman).

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