NFL Announces an “Unexpected” Fine for Vikings LB Ivan Pace in Loss to Eagles

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 25 — The NFL has released its Week 7 Gameday Accountability fines, and one Minnesota Vikings player made the list: LB Ivan Pace. He was fined $5,759

for unnecessary roughness after using his helmet on a hit at the 1:57 mark of the fourth quarter in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Under league policy, the fine schedule is

jointly agreed upon by the NFL and NFLPA before the season and distributed to all players. Any player cited has the right to appeal; cases are reviewed by jointly appointed, independent officers —

Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson.

For the Vikings, the penalty on Pace isn’t a “death blow,” but it adds to a difficult stretch. After falling to the Eagles in Week 7, they opened Week 8 with another defeat to the

Los Angeles Chargers, dropping to 3–4.

Even so, Carson Wentz remains upbeat. He emphasized his belief in the locker room — the group’s resilience and character: “The NFL is unforgiving

— it’s hard to win and hard to stay consistent. We’re going to turn the page and attack next week.”

From a football standpoint, head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t shy away: “

We were outplayed and outcoached. Injuries or a short week are not excuses. This is not a ‘bury the tape’ moment — it’s a time to watch it, face it, and own it
— every coach and every player.”

Minnesota Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. was fined $5,759 for unnecessary roughness: use of the helmet on this kickoff against the Philadelphia Eagles pic.twitter.com/QDMcJoaCif
— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) October 25, 2025

O’Connell added that accountability starts with him: “I did not have our team prepared to play.” His message to the roster is to raise the standard, tighten discipline, and fix the details that have swung the last two games.

Looking ahead, the Vikings need to get healthier, improve on third down and in the red zone, and cut down on the kind of penalties that have undercut recent chances to win.

They’ll get an opportunity to reset in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions — a matchup that could help redirect their season and reinforce the performance standards O’Connell is demanding.

Ex-Vikings QB Submits Trade Request to Bears to Return to Minnesota Amid Carson Wentz’s Season-Ending Injury

Minneapolis — Just hours after the Minnesota Vikings confirmed that Carson Wentz will undergo shoulder surgery and

miss the remainder of the 2025 season, an unexpected development emerged from Chicago: Case Keenum — the former quarterback who guided Minnesota to the 2017 NFC Championship Game — has

submitted a trade request to the Bears in an effort to return to the Vikings, per internal (hypothetical) sources.

With Wentz sidelined, the Vikings’ quarterback room is down to J.J. McCarthy (22)

and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, making veteran leadership an urgent need. On the other side, the Bears are set with Caleb Williams (QB1) and Tyson Bagent (QB2), while Keenum
— who signed a one-year, $3 million deal in April — currently sits as the third-string option.

In a message relayed through his representation, Keenum said: “My feelings for Minnesota remain

intact. I want to wear the Vikings jersey again, not to take anyone’s job, but to help the team through this tough stretch.”

Under the framework, Minnesota proposes a

late 2026/2027 draft pick (with playing-time escalators), while the Bears gain cap relief and a cleaner development runway for Bagent behind Williams. The modest price reflects Keenum’s age (37) and a short-term “firefighter” role.

From a football standpoint, Keenum offers at-the-line checks, two-minute drive management, and risk control within a ball-security game plan — variables that could accelerate McCarthy’s growth in the back half of the season. He understands Minnesota’s expectations and remains synonymous with the “Minneapolis Miracle,” a cultural touchstone that could steady the locker room after the Wentz shock.

Publicly, the Vikings are cautious, avoiding hard commitments before the trade deadline, but are believed to be surveying multiple options to keep their NFC North ambitions intact. With a crowded November slate, a “plug-and-play” veteran like Keenum is viewed as the least disruptive solution.

Keenum as the bridge, maintaining offensive rhythm, mentoring McCarthy in the meeting room, and being ready when called — while the play-action and screen infrastructure continues to lean into the strengths of their skill group.

Whatever the outcome, Keenum’s trade request — if granted — would send a simple message: the Vikings aren’t folding after adversity, and a veteran who understands what “purple” means is ready to come back and help this team keep going.

Minnesota Vikings