For the Vikings, the cornerback rotation is gearing up to be a lot more different than it was in 2019-20.
Sources tell NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport that Trae Waynes, a former Vikings corner who was a free agent this offseason, has agreed to a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The #Bengals aren’t done yet: They are landing former #Vikings CB Trae Waynes, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Two big splash free agents today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
The move makes it so that both of Minnesota’s mainstay starting cornerbacks from last season — Xavier Rhodes and Waynes — could very well be gone next season. The Vikings can still re-sign Rhodes if they want, but they terminated his contract earlier this offseason.
NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reported that the deal is three years and worth $42 million.
The #Bengals are signing CB Trae Waynes to a three-year, $42 million deal that pays out $20 million in Year 1 and $31M over two, source said.
Waynes was at the hospital with his newborn when he got the call the deal was done. A nice little Tuesday.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2020
Not only that, but nickel corner Mackensie Alexander is also a free agent this offseason. Losing him would be a problem for continuity among the defensive backs come 2020-21.
Minnesota recently franchise tagged safety Anthony Harris, but the team reportedly acknowledged that Harris “could be had for a mid-to-late round draft pick,” a source told Rapoport.
That means the Vikings defense might have to be built with other players in free agency or the draft.