Every Viking Who Hurt Their 53-Man Roster Odds in Loss vs. Ravens (Including Ivan Pace Jr.)

Three Vikings didn't help their case to make the roster in Saturday's 13-3 defeat to Baltimore.

Ivan Pace Jr.'s outlook with the Vikings certainly took a blow during Saturday's preseason loss. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

With NFL teams mandated to trim their rosters to 53 men in less than a week's time, players are quickly running out of time to show they belong. Unfortunately, for several players, their poor showing in the Vikings' 13-3 loss to Baltimore has put their roster dreams in jeopardy.

The Vikings will once again have playoff aspirations in 2026, and every roster spot counts. With that in mind, here are three players who may be playing themselves off the team if they can't turn things around going into the final stretch of the preseason.

Ivan Pace Jr., LB

Throughout the offseason, Ivan Pace Jr. has been brought up as a potential cut or trade candidate, especially after the Vikings extended Eric Wilson and added Jake Golday in the second round of the NFL Draft. Once an undrafted free-agent darling, Pace has seen his playing time drop dramatically over the past two seasons.

Despite being healthy all season, he played just 30% of the defensive snaps in 2025. And with just five tackles this preseason, he hasn't shown much to deserve more in 2026.

What complicates his situation further is the emergence of Jacob Roberts, who has consistently made plays throughout the preseason, nabbing an interception and making plays in the backfield for several stops. While Pace remains a strong special teams player, the Vikings could opt to keep just four off-ball backers in Wilson, Golday, Roberts and veteran Blake Cashman, leaving the former starter Pace looking for work elsewhere.

Henry Byrd, OL

What a day to forget for Henry Byrd. Giving up several pressures and getting called for a critical hold on third down left the backup lineman needing a big performance next week. Byrd has been riding the bubble all summer, but Saturday might have been the nail in his coffin. Despite miraculously receiving a respectable 67.9 Pro Football Focus grade, Byrd's name was called far too much against the Ravens' second team.

Henry Byrd is another Viking who needs to find another gear if he wants to stick around this season. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

While third-round rookie tackle Caleb Tiernan hasn't looked especially great either, his draft stock will be his saving grace to make the final 53. Byrd doesn't enjoy that same luxury and really needs a standout showing in the final preseason game against Denver to show he belongs.

Max Brosmer, QB

There was always a world where the Vikings would cut bait with J.J. McCarthy and move on to Max Brosmer up to the third-string quarterback spot. But with McCarthy struggling and subsequently plummeting his trade value, it's more likely he sticks around—at least for 2026. For Brosmer, who hasn't been any better this preseason, he'll almost certainly revert to the practice squad after failing to capitalize on an extended look against Baltimore.

Minnesota's strange infatuation with the 25-year-old Brosmer has continued into 2026. After one of the worst displays of professional football against the Seattle Seahawks last year, the Vikings opted against putting him in jail for life and instead brought him back for another year in purple. Against Baltimore, Brosmer went 11-for-17 for 98 yards and a pick, and brought the Vikings' so-called quarterback depth further into question.

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