For years, the Indianapolis Colts had one of the league’s worst secondaries, relying on a constant revolving door of cornerbacks and safeties. Today’s group, bolstered by new additions Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum, looks a lot better. But past versions were often painful to watch.
One of those defensive backs who never found their footing in Indianapolis was Isaiah Rodgers. The cornerback was the Colts’ 2020 sixth-round pick in General Manager Chris Ballard’s fourth NFL draft. Rodgers was on the Colts’ roster for three years.
The 27-year-old NFL veteran is now with the Minnesota Vikings and surprised the league with an unbelievable performance in Week 3. Rodgers easily had the best game of his career and shocked any Indianapolis fan who remembers his lackluster tenure with the Colts.
Former Indianapolis cornerback Isaiah Rodgers was flawless in Week 3
The Minnesota Vikings signed Rodgers this offseason to fill a critical need, and he was immediately named one of their starting outside cornerbacks. It was a risky move as Rodgers has never been a Day 1 starter, but Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores trusted him. So far, Rodgers has been a dream signing, and his abilities were on full display in Week 3.
Against the Cincinnati Bengals, Rodgers had a one-of-a-kind game. His final stats included an 87-yard pick-six, a 66-yard scoop-and-score, another forced fumble, two pass-breakups, and three tackles. Rodgers became the first player in NFL history to tally both an interception and a fumble returned for touchdowns as well as a pair of forced fumbles.
Rodgers’ unprecedented numbers earned him a “perfect” 99.9 overall single-game grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). No one has ever achieved that since PFF started handing out grades in 2006.
The combination of Rodgers’ playmaking and coverage skills has had a clear impact. Despite repeatedly matching up against elite wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Rodgers was targeted just three times all game and only allowed a single two-yard catch. With Chase, Higgins, and the Bengals' QB Jake Browning on lockdown, Cincinnati could only score a grand total of 10 points.
Rodgers’ arrival has completely transformed the Minnesota defense. Through the first three weeks of the season, the Vikings have the third-best passing defense in the league, compared to the fourth-worst mark last year.
Rodgers never had that sort of impact for Indianapolis. He was a special teamer and a rotational cornerback throughout his three-season stint. Ultimately, Rodgers’ time with the Colts was cut short when the NFL suspended him for the 2023 season after he violated the league’s gambling policy. Indianapolis naturally waived him.
The Philadelphia Eagles then signed Rodgers, who provided much-needed depth during their 2024 Super Bowl run. Recognizing his talent, the Vikings prioritized his signing last March. Some questioned whether Rodgers would be able to revive his career after his suspension — the answer is clearly a ‘yes’.
Rodgers’ resurgence raises the question of whether the Colts used him effectively when he was on the team. However, it’s just as likely that Rodgers needed more time and a change in scenery to fully unlock his potential. Regardless of what could have been, Rodgers is definitely hitting his stride now in Minnesota.