EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have finally assembled a proven group of cornerbacks, after a series of setbacks.
Stephon Gilmore was the latest and biggest catch.
The Vikings signed the 13-year veteran Gilmore on Monday, after agreeing to terms on a one-year, $10 million contract with $7 million guaranteed the day before. The five-time Pro Bowl pick and 2019 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year was expected to be on the field for practice with his fifth team in the past five seasons, none of which has needed him more than Minnesota.
Gilmore, who began his career with Buffalo after being drafted 10th overall in 2012, has also played for New England, Carolina, Indianapolis and Dallas. His past two seasons were a resurgence of sorts, giving the NFC East champion Cowboys a vital dose of leadership and skill for their secondary to help stem the absence of injured cornerback Trevon Diggs. Gilmore had a career-high 68 tackles, two interceptions, 13 passes defensed and one forced fumble in a career-high 17 games.
After the tragic death of rookie Khyree Jackson last month, the Vikings lost promising second-year player Mekhi Blackmon for the season to a torn ACL on the first day of practice. Shaquill Griffin, their most significant spring addition, hurt his hamstring on the second day and has not practiced since, though he’s on track to be ready for the regular-season opener.
In a clear sign of the club’s lack of confidence in their existing depth chart, four new cornerbacks were brought in since players reported to camp before Gilmore became the fifth.
Now, assuming they can stay healthy and remain effective at their ages, the top three cornerbacks — Gilmore (13th year), Griffin (eighth) and Byron Murphy Jr. (sixth) — have a wealth of experience between them. Akayleb Evans, who started 15 games last season, remains firmly in the mix entering his third year. Fabian Moreau, one of the late-summer additions who has taken plenty of turns with the first-team defense, is going into his eighth year.
Murphy will be one of the two primary starters again after a solid debut with the Vikings in 2023, but his strength is in the slot so Griffin would likely pair with Gilmore on the outside in the three-cornerback nickel packages in expected passing situations.
That’s a much better menu of options for defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who’d prefer to employ more man-to-man and press coverage to better complement his aggressive and unorthodox blitz packages after the injuries and inexperience at cornerback last season limited his calls and prompted a deterioration of the defense down the stretch. The Vikings have not ranked higher than 24th in the league in passing yards allowed since 2019.
Injury avoidance, naturally, could well be the barometer of success for this group. Gilmore had offseason shoulder surgery and dealt with a torn quadriceps that set him back in 2021. Griffin has barely been on the field in his first training camp with the team. Murphy had a knee injury and missed the last three games in 2023.
The Vikings also waived punter Seth Vernon, effectively awarding the job on Monday to incumbent Ryan Wright. He ranked 10th in the league last season with a gross average of 48.9 yards per punt, but his rate of kicks downed inside the 20-yard line dropped from 43.8 percent in his rookie year to 28.8.
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