The Minnesota Vikings need cornerback help. That’s no secret to anyone who has been paying attention. They recently signed Fabian Moreau, who started 11 games for the Denver Broncos last season, and they continue to keep a watchful eye on the CB market, both via trade and free agency.
Minnesota Vikings linked to Stephon Gilmore again
One name that has now surfaced in multiple places is Stephon Gilmore, a 5x Pro Bowler and 3x NFL All-Pro defensive back who currently does not have a team to play for in 2024. He’ll be 34-years-old this season but he’s the exact type of plug and play starter that the Vikings are desperately searching for.
Oh, and Gilmore won defensive player of the year in 2019 with the New England Patriots. His defensive coordinator at the time: Brian Flores.
Does [the signing on Fabian Moreau] rule out additional cornerback signings? No. The free-agent market is not filled with high-end options, but Stephon Gilmore is the most intriguing. He played for Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in New England. He has started 33 games at corner over the last two seasons, and his production has remained. Adding him is a no-brainer, but the Vikings aren’t the only team thinking this way.
Alec Lewis – The Athletic
Related: Minnesota Vikings Planning Splash Move at Cornerback
So, why haven’t they signed him yet, if doing so is such a “no-brainer”? Unfortunately, putting pen to paper is not that easy. There’s a reason Gilmore remains unsigned, and it’s not due to lack of offers. In fact, quite the opposite. The Vikings aren’t the only team interested in Gilmore… and more interest seems to be piling up by the day.
Veteran CB patiently waiting for more offers… and less training camp
Thus, the veteran CB is in no hurry to join any team, whether it be Minnesota or elsewhere. As long as he thinks the offers will continue to get better, Stephon Gilmore won’t be in any big hurry.
In case you didn’t know, most NFL veterans would love to skip training camp, if given the opportunity. And it appears Gilmore may be in one of those lucky scenarios this August.
Gilmore’s market is going to be robust, and the longer he waits, the more likely it is teams could need his services. Not to mention, the longer he waits, the less time he has to spend at training camp.
Alec Lewis – The Athletic
When Stephon Gilmore, who has played for the Bills, Patriots, Cowboys, Panthers and Colts during his 10-year NFL career, decides he is ready to sign, the Minnesota Vikings would be the perfect landing spot, if he wants to be featured in a defense he is already familiar with.
Related: Vikings Plan to Go ‘All-In’ on Top DL in 2025; 3 Potential Solutions
Hopefully that, along with the Vikings $30-ish million in available cap space, can help convince the former South Carolina Gamecock that the weather in Minnesota isn’t all that bad in the winter… because this team needs him more desperately than anywhere else he might consider.
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