Isaiah Rodgers Could Be NFL’s Next Double-Duty Player Like Travis Hunter
When the NFL knew they were going to be getting a two-way star like Travis Hunter, no one was sure what to expect with him. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2024 and became the first defensive player to do so since Charles Woodson, which is good company to have. But could someone pull off double duty in the NFL?
Through five weeks of the NFL season, that answer still has not emerged, but Hunter has seemingly had fun in the process, attempting to do it for the Jacksonville Jaguars. They traded up to acquire him and have received a good return, but there is a reason he is the only player in the NFL capable of handling this type of workload.
But should he be?
ESPN explored the idea of each team having one player who could pull double duty for their team. The Vikings suggested that cornerback Isaiah Rodgers be the one to become the versatile weapon for the team. ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes, "The Vikings don't have any obvious candidates, so let's nominate Rodgers -- who has already scored two defensive touchdowns this season and also hit the highest game speed recorded in the NFL Next Gen Stats era. Rodgers got to 23.32 mph while chasing Steelers receiver DK Metcalf across the field on an 80-yard touchdown. At UMass in 2019, Rodgers fielded 53 kick returns for 1,415 yards, both of which ranked No. 1 among all FBS players that season. Rodgers has been begging Vikings coaches to allow him to return kickoffs, but he has been too valuable on defense to risk a special teams injury. Still, it's easy to envision Rodgers lining up as a wide receiver and simply outrunning defensive backs to an open space."
The kick return aspect is something the Vikings did talk about when he signed with the team. While the ball has been dropped on that front, perhaps there could be some renewed talk of it again?
BREAKING: Raiders Release LB Germaine Pratt After Strong Start to 2025 Season
In a shocking move that has sent ripples through the NFL community, the Las Vegas Raiders have announced the release of linebacker Germaine Pratt, a key defensive addition from the offseason. Pratt, who had become the team’s second-leading tackler heading into Week 5, did not travel with the team for their matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, and the organization has confirmed that his absence is unrelated to injury.
Pratt, 27, was signed in free agency in the hopes that his leadership and playmaking ability would solidify the Raiders' linebacker corps. After a standout career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Pratt had begun to emerge as a key defensive piece for Las Vegas, showing consistency and physicality throughout the early part of the season.
However, sources close to the Raiders have suggested that Pratt’s absence from the team’s recent road trip could signal deeper internal issues that led to his release. Despite his solid play, it appears that the organization has made the decision to move on, potentially as part of a larger effort to reshape the defensive unit under head coach Pete Carroll’s guidance.
Pratt's departure raises questions about the direction of the Raiders' defense as they prepare for the remainder of the season. With the linebacker now off the roster, Las Vegas will need to lean on younger talent to step into a larger role, and this move could pave the way for further adjustments in their defensive strategy.
This surprising decision could have ripple effects across the locker room, as Pratt was regarded as a leader by many teammates. Whether this is a sign of dissatisfaction with team performance or a shift in long-term strategy remains to be seen.
As the Raiders move forward without Pratt, all eyes will be on how they adjust defensively and whether this shake-up will impact their playoff hopes.
