Bad news continues for Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. after controversial post following 37-10 loss vs. Chargers, and it hits him where it hurts

It hasn’t been a great week for Ivan Pace Jr. and the Vikings

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Ivan Pace Jr. (0) during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings have had a bad week.

On Sunday, the Vikings lost 28-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles in a game they could have won. Then, they followed it up with an absolutely embarrassing effort against the Los Angeles Chargers, losing 37-10. There was little that ended up being good for the Vikings across the last week, and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has had one of the worst weeks on the team.

Ivan Pace Jr. fined for helmet-to-helmet hit vs. Eagles

Against the Eagles, Pace found himself benched on defense. He didn’t play a single one of the 50 defensive snaps. He had been struggling on defense, mainly by missing tackles in run defense. With a defense like the one Brian Flores runs in Minnesota, you can’t be doing that.

Even without playing a single defensive snap, Pace found his wallet a little bit lighter, as he was fined $5,759 for unnecessary roughness: use of the helmet on the final kickoff return.

In the line, Pace is the fourth Viking from the top. Once he starts moving forward, it’s normal to make contact with the blocker in front of you, including using your momentum to knock them off the spot. Unfortunately, Pace launches himself and, in turn, his helmet, making helmet-to-helmet contact with the blocker, resulting in this fine.

It wasn’t the only thing that Pace had made waves for. He posted a story on Instagram shortly after the loss to the Chargers, showing him eating an In-N-Out Burger, and it riled up the fanbase.

Pace can appeal the fine if he chooses. There isn’t much to argue here, and it would likely be upheld. This is also the second fine of the 2025 season for the Vikings, with cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. fined $17,389 for a horse-collar tackle.

Not a great week to be with the Vikings.

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