Vikings Snag Former Defensive Player Of The Year In Free Agency

The Minnesota Vikings have a dire need for cornerbacks this season. With the untimely death of rookie Khyree Jackson and Mekhi Blackmon's season-ending injury, they need another corner to add to their starting lineup.

Well, one of the better defenders of his generation fell right into their laps. After sitting in free agency for longer than expected, Stephon Gilmore signed with the Vikings in free agency, per Adam Schefter.

Gilmore, who last played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, will provide a much-needed boost to a depleted Vikings lineup. He should slot in as the top cornerback of the team for the 2024 season.

A former first-round pick for the Buffalo Bills, Gilmore was one of the best cornerbacks during his prime. He won Defensive Player of the Year back in 2019 for the Patriots, the first CB to do so since Charles Woodson. He has two All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl to his name.

Last season, Gilmore was one of the starting cornerbacks of the Cowboys. While he's not as quick as he was before, Gilmore still played solid defense for Dallas. He tallied 68 combined tackles, 13 pass deflections, a forced fumble, and two interceptions.

Gilmore will likely be the leader of a Vikings secondary that needs some help in the 2024 season. He's likely starting alongside fellow cornerback Byron Murphy Jr, with Camryn Bynum and Harrison Smith manning the safety positions.

It will be an interesting season for Minnesota as they navigate the early stages of a rebuild, especially with rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy out for the year.