Two new Vikings have played extremely well through five games in 2024 within Brian Flores’ scheme.
Minnesota made some splash signings this offseason to shore up the defense. The Vikings signed Blake Cashman, Jonathan Greenard, and Andrew Van Ginkel early before making the ultimate signing of Stephon Gilmore.
But one other signing that some fans weren’t super excited about was cornerback Shaq Griffin. Griffin has arguably been the Vikings’ best cornerback outside of Gilmore through five games.
According to Pro Football Network, the Vikings have two top cornerbacks against the pass. Griffin is the No. 3 corner in the NFL with the lowest passer rating allowed, with a 37.5 passer rating. Gilmore is 10th, with a 60.3 rating.
Through five games, Griffin has five pass deflections and an interception. Gilmore has three pass deflections plus an interception. Bryron Murphy Jr. leads all corners with 29 tackles, but his play has been up and down in 2024. Either way, the Minnesota secondary is head and shoulders better than what it was a season ago in the early going.
Former Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore shouts out Christian Gonzalez
Former New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore had high praise for second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez, following his impressive performance in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
Gonzalez had two pass break-ups and an interception in the game. He did a tremendous job of covering both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at different points.
The Oregon product has established himself as one of the top corners in the NFL. Per Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar, he had 21 routes on Hill and allowed only three catches for 55 yards.
“Ok Christian Gonzalez cold blooded keep going youngin,” Gilmore posted on Twitter.
The Patriots have struggled on both sides of the ball in recent weeks. Yet, Gonzalez has been one of the few bright spots for the team. Who better to judge than a former Defensive Player of the Year?
Gilmore was the last great corner to serve in the No. 1 role for the Patriots, and now, it’s Gonzalez’s turn to hopefully lead in the same way.
Stephon Gilmore is treating his Aaron Rodgers interception like a trophy.
As a perennial Pro Bowler and former Defensive Player of the Year, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore has been around the block when it comes to defending prolific quarterbacks. His 32 career interceptions should speak for themselves.
But before Sunday, Gilmore couldn’t say he had ever picked off four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. It was an elusive niche accomplishment for a defensive back who has faced off against some of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game while humbling them accordingly.
The Minnesota Vikings secondary remains a question mark for the defense heading into 2024, despite the signing of Stephone Gilmore.
The Minnesota Vikings secondary remains a question mark for the defense heading into 2024. Despite the signing of Stephone Gilmore, there is a lot to be desired with the cornerbacks. They have pieces but lack someone who can be the leader of the group for years to come.
One way the Vikings can solve it is by taking advantage of what is projected to be a high draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
One of the solutions was mocked to the Vikings by Connor Rogers on PFF’s NFL Stock Exchange podcast. They had their first mock draft of the season and projected cornerback Benjamin Morrison from Notre Dame to be their selection.
Players like Mason Graham, Will Johnson, and Travis Hunter who all play at positions of need were unavailable. Worth mentioning though, Graham was taken one spot before their mock by the Cardinals.
Pro Football Focus projects the Vikings to finish with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Vikings landing star cornerback Stephon Gilmore was a big move and broke a string of bad news for the team, but how did it come about?
The Minnesota Vikings’ landing of star cornerback Stephon Gilmore was a big move that ended a string of bad news for the team, but how did it happen? Usually, when a team is on a bad stretch like the Vikings had been, they don’t attract the type of free agents like Gilmore.
Thankfully, they had the inside track on what could bring him to Minnesota in the form of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Dane Mizutani of The Pioneer Press wrote about what exactly made Gilmore choose the Vikings. He discusses how the veteran cornerback had other teams interested, but it was his connection with Brian Flores that brought him to sign with the Vikings.
Gilmore was also impressed by the team’s culture and the chance to be a leader in the locker room.
Gilmore has a chance to turn the entire secondary on its head by what they can now scheme. With Gilmore playing outside opposite Shaq Griffin and Byron Murphy Jr. in the nickel, they can finally scheme this defense the way Flores has wanted to.
With Stephon Gilmore now off the street, the Panthers could look to target one of these five free-agent cornerbacks:
Despite the months-long build, the reunion between the Carolina Panthers and cornerback Stephon Gilmore was simply not to be.
As announced on Monday, the Minnesota Vikings have signed the Rock Hill, S.C. native to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. That decision may have burned the Panthers, who reportedly offered Gilmore a pact of their own.
While Carolina probably wasn’t looking to match financials on the agreement, Gilmore’s move up north hurts a bit more considering the setback to Dane Jackson—a projected starter for the defense this season. Jackson, according to head coach Dave Canales, is expected to miss approximately six weeks after sustaining a “significant” hamstring injury.
But are there any similar options out there for the corner-needy Panthers?
Here are five possible free-agent targets with Gilmore now off the board:
Eli Apple
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Yeah, yeah . . . most of you are probably rolling your eyes at this first entry. But if the Panthers are looking for a veteran corner with experience manning the outside, then this Apple doesn’t far fall from the tree.
The former 10th overall pick has started in 34 of his 41 games since 2021, when he was featured by the then-AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed a 104.3 passer rating as a Miami Dolphin this past season—producing a better mark than the likes of Taron Johnson, Carlton Davis III and James Bradberry.
Rashad Fenton
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Fenton may be another tough sell to those of you reading this. Not only did he miss the entire 2023 season after being placed on injured reserve by the Arizona Cardinals, but his 2022 (the last NFL campaign he did play) was undoubtedly his worst offering as a pro.
But like Apple, Fenton is a vet who has picked up reps on the outside. Plus, his three full years with the Kansas City Chiefs yielded some nice results—as he earned PFF coverage grades of 78.4, 75.0 and 81.1 from 2019 to 2021.
Adoree’ Jackson
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This fella may be more of what you’re looking for, Panthers fans.
A slightly bigger name than Apple and Fenton, Jackson offers a solid track record over his seven-year NFL career. Save for this last season for the New York Giants, the former first-rounder has never earned a PFF coverage grade of under 66.8.
J.C. Jackson
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From one Jackson to another, J.C. has also built up a decent résumé. Are the 28-year-old’s best days, however, already behind him?
Jackson was a standout for Bill Belichick’s defense in New England up until 2021, when he reeled in a Second-team All-Pro nod and his first Pro Bowl selection. But it’s been a bumpy ride since, as he struggled in his short stint with the Los Angeles Chargers as well as in his brief return to the Patriots.
Ahkello Witherspoon
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Witherspoon could be the best-case scenario of these options.
For one, the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder fits the mold of the long and rangy cornerback Canales and general manager Dan Morgan became accustomed to during their days in Seattle. He also has experience in a similar scheme, with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero having served as a secondary coach and passing game coordinator for a year under Raheem Morris—Witherspoon’s coordinator from 2023.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gilmore signed a one-year deal worth up to $10 million to join the Vikings, including $7 million guaranteed.
Gilmore would spend the 2022 season with the Colts. During that year, he was a sound tackler and played over 1,000 defensive snaps, while making 16 starts.
In coverage, Gilmore allowed a completion rate of 63 percent on 82 targets at 11.3 yards per catch. Gilmore also came away with two interceptions and eight pass breakups.
During the 2023 offseason, the Colts would trade Gilmore to Dallas, where he played this past season. In return for Gilmore, the Colts’ received a 2023 fifth-round pick, which the team used to draft running back Evan Hull out of Northwestern.
Hull is currently competing with Tyler Goodson to be the team’s third running back. He came to the NFL as a very experienced pass-catcher and is coming off an impressive preseason performance against Arizona, where he averaged 6.5 yards per rush attempt.
Gilmore was a free agent this offseason, and while cornerback was a position that many thought the Colts should address, a reunion with Gilmore was likely never going to be in the cards.
After searching all offseason, former New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore finally has a new home.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
Since leaving the Patriots, Gilmore has spent his last three seasons jumping around to the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys. Now, the 33-year-old defensive back will embark on his 13th NFL season with the Vikings.
He is still a proven playmaker on the field considering he played in all 17 games last season with 68 tackles, 13 pass deflections, two interceptions and one forced fumble with the Cowboys.
ESPN sources: Five-time Pro-Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore has reached an agreement in principle on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million, including $7 million guaranteed with the Minnesota Vikings.
Gilmore’s best years came in New England, and he had said he wasn’t opposed to a reunion.
However, the Patriots already have their pieces in place at cornerback with rising second-year star Christian Gonzalez, veteran Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones. Alex Austin and Marco Wilson have also been making strong cases for reps on defense.
It would have been a cool moment to see Gilmore ride off into the sunset with the Patriots. Regardless, his accomplishments in New England as a defensive MVP and Super Bowl champion will stand forever.
The Vikings agreed to a one-year deal with the All-Pro corner
The Vikings have been looking to add some experience in their secondary. Minnesota recently brought in veteran Stephon Gilmore for a visit, but the two sides couldn’t agree on a contract.
But after Minnesota played the Browns on Saturday during the second preseason week, the Vikings pulled off the mega move. Reports came in on Sunday morning that Minnesota and Gilmore have agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million.
Gilmore has previously played for the Bills, Patriots, Panthers, Colts, and Cowboys.
Gilmore makes a ton of sense for the Vikings. Minnesota already has Byron Murphy but needed one more guy to accompany him. Gilmore, a 12-year veteran, has been one of the best cornerbacks in football. He has battled some injuries, but if healthy, he will greatly impact the Vikings’ secondary.
Gilmore will be expected to start outside cornerback for the team alongside Shaq Griffin once he returns from injury. Rounding out the starting rotation will be Byron Murphy Jr., who will line up at nickel.
Finally, the Vikings have a formidable starting group in the secondary.
The #Vikings are making a major free agent acquisition at a time when they rarely happen: Former Pro Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore is signing in Minnesota on a 1-year, $10M deal, source says.
