Minnesota Vikings have a new green dot on defense

Minnesota Vikings have a new green dot on defense

Blake Cashman
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings have undergone a lot of changes this offseason. There is a new quarterback under center and Brian Flores has a lot of new weapons on defense. With changing players comes changing responsibilities. Minnesota will rely on a different quarterback on defense this year.

Hometown Blake Cashman scores points for Minnesota Vikings

Last year, the Minnesota Vikings saw Ivan Pace Jr. emerge out of nowhere as one of their top defenders. The UDFA eventually started at linebacker and eventually took over the green dot duties. This season, that responsibility is handed over to free agent acquirer and former Gopher Blake Cashman.

“I don’t think I have the green dot right now. I think Cash has it. It doesn’t matter, I’m still going to go out there and shoot… I’m fine with it (with that). Coaches have other plans. I’m going to go out there and get it one day.”

Ivan Pace Jr. to Darren Wolfson on the green dot (KSTP)

The Eden Prairie native came back to Minnesota via the Houston Texans. Before his time in the Lone Star State, he spent three seasons in New York with the Jets. He joins former teammate Jonathan Greenard, who is transferring from Houston.

For those who don’t know, a green dot on a player’s helmet means that his helmet has the defensive play-caller (Flores) attached to it. His job is to receive the play call and then relay it to his teammates. On offense, that’s the QB. On defense, it can vary from team to team.

Brian Asamoah and Jordan Hicks were the starting linebackers in 2023. Pace Jr. eventually took over for Asamoah, and when Hicks got injured, the UDFA was a natural choice to take over the playmaking duties.

Related: Vikings Beat Several Teams, Land Blake Cashman

What will the Vikings’ encore for Ivan Pace Jr. look like?

Cashman has played in 44 games in his NFL career, including 21 starts. As a rookie, Ivan Pace Jr. made 102 tackles while starting just 11 of 17 games. He intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and recorded 2.5 sacks. All while juggling a bid for the starting lineup.

Unlike Cashman, Pace is still “wet behind the ears” in terms of NFL experience. With the green dot removed from his game-day responsibilities, the former Cincinnati Bearcat could be in line for an even bigger season, now that he can focus more on his own job, not everyone else’s.

“Oh yeah, we (Cashman) good man. He came here and we connected quickly, better than last year with the other backers. I think we’re going to be good.”

Ivan Pace Jr. to Darren Wolfson about his relationship with Blake Cashman (KSTP)

Pace Jr.’s quotes suggest he has a strong relationship with new teammate Blake Cashman. The two can play off that trust that they will continue to develop together. The Vikings’ defense will always generate pressure as long as Brian Flores is in charge, and the duo at linebacker could be a formidable source of that.

Related: Demon Time: No. 0 Hits Different on Ivan Pace Jr.

The Vikings will get their first chance to showcase their revamped defense on Sunday against Daniel Jones and the New York Giants.

Mentioned in this article:Blake Cashman Ivan Pace Jr.

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