The Minnesota Vikings’ first preseason game of 2026 is three days away, and the club will face the New York Giants on the road. In the meantime, VikesNow is counting down the most important Vikings players of 2026, and after quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 20, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers gets the nod.
It will be Season No. 2 for Rodgers in purple, as he hopes to capitalize on a successful first act.
Rodgers Enters Year 2 with More at Stake
Rodgers’s Role in 2026
Most consider defensive back Byron Murphy Jr. the Vikings’ CB1, a guy who reached the Pro Bowl in 2024. But Rodgers is right there as the CB2, and barring an unforeseen push from veteran James Pierre or rookie Charles Demmings, Rodgers is in line to fill the same job as last year.
He’ll be asked to cover rival wide receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Luther Burden III, Jameson Williams, Matthew Golden, and Jayden Reed in 2026. The NFC North is no pushover for WR talent. Rodgers tallied an impressive 73.8 Pro Football Focus grade in 2025, his first with the Vikings, complete with a performance for the ages in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Meanwhile, Rodgers signed a two-year deal last offseason. He’s playing for another contract – – perhaps with the Vikings — and if his 2025 performance carries over to 2026, he’ll likely earn at least $10 million annually by the time 2027 rolls around.
It will work best for everybody if that extension comes from Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley.
What Success Looks Like
For Rodgers, success is taking the next step. He already proved that he can author splashy single-game performances – – see: the masterclass versus the Bengals – – and now he just needs consistency, which is assuredly attainable.
It’s unlikely that Rodgers will turn into a shutdown corner at age 28, but he can latch on as a starter with staying power, so long as his tackling improves and his coverage ability remains intact. He fetched a 74.1 coverage mark from PFF in 2025, but the 37.6 tackling grade leaves much to be desired.
His job is to make an extension a no-brainer for the Vikings’ brass. Rodgers said this week about his contract year, “No, I don’t really care about that. I think I’m here to play ball. I think the guys on the higher up know I’m here to play ball. You will know I’m here to play ball as well. So, just play ball. I think those type of conversations happen when they’re supposed to happen.”
What Could Make This Ranking Look Too Low – – or Too High
The No. 19 ranking will be too high in retrospect if a) Rodgers regresses – – 2025 was his first full season as a starter b) his tackling doesn’t get any better c) he gets injured. It’s not likely, generally speaking, but there’s a chance that Rodgers is remembered as “the one guy who had that great game one time.”
On the other hand, Rodgers has an opportunity to fully blossom inside Brian Flores’s defense. The scheme is known for its intensity, complexity, and aggression. Year No. 2 could allow Rodgers to find new heights with a better understanding via one year under his belt.
If Rodgers produces another season with a passer rating allowed in the 80s or below – – like last year – – he’ll be in the driver’s seat to stick around the NFL as a starting corner for a few years. The No. 19 ranking will feel spot-on if so.
Rodgers mentioned Tuesday about his 2026 mindset: “Very motivated. Very motivated. I think it’s a very important year for the organization … I feel like we were a game short last year and just want to give the fans what they deserve. … I think it’s time to turn over a new leaf.”
Next in the Countdown
VikesNow‘s countdown is 55% complete. Here’s the order so far:
40 | Myles Price (WR)
39 | Tai Felton (WR)
38 | Demond Claiborne (RB)
37 | Caleb Tiernan (OT)
36 | Bo Richter (OLB)
35 | Theo Jackson (S)
34 | Ivan Pace Jr. (LB)
33 | Levi Drake Rodriguez (DT)
32 | Ryan Van Demark (OT)
31 | Charles Demmings (CB)
30 | Jakobe Thomas (S)
29 | Josh Oliver (TE)
28 | Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DL)
27 | Jake Golday (LB)
26 | Domonique Orange (DT)
25 | James Pierre (CB)
24 | Eric Wilson (LB)
23 | Jay Ward (S)
22 | Jauan Jennings (WR)
21 | Aaron Jones (RB)
20 | J.J. McCarthy (QB)
19 | Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
Safety Josh Metellus – – who may have increased job responsibilities if Harrison Smith does not return – – is up Thursday at No. 18.
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VikesNow Verdict: Minnesota needs better tackling and dependable CB2 play opposite Murphy Jr. If Rodgers delivers all three, Rodgers could turn an important 2026 season into a lucrative next contract.
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