BREAKING: Vikings Likely to Sign S George Iloka
Sean Borman
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The Minnesota Vikings are apparently adding to their already stellar defense. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Vikings will bring in and likely sign safety George Iloka on Wednesday. Iloka has ties to Mike Zimmer from the coach’s days as a defensive coordinator in Cincinnati.
Whoa. Free-agent safety George Iloka is on his way to Minnesota, and it appears likely he signs with the #Vikings today, per @RapSheet and me. Mike Zimmer connection from #Bengals days. One of the NFL’s best defenses about to get even better?
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 22, 2018
Iloka, 28, was released by the Cincinnati Bengals on August 19th. A 2012 fifth round pick out of Boise State, he was the starting safety in Cincinnati for five seasons. The 6-foot-4, 225 pound defender received interest from the Vikings in 2016 when he was an unrestricted free agent.
Since taking over as the starter in 2013, Iloka started 76 out of a possible 80 games for Cincinnati. He collected nine interceptions and 32 passes defended during that time. In 2017 Iloka earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 71.4.
Starter/backup?
It remains to be seen what kind of impact this signing will have on the Vikings, who already have a solid one-two punch at safety with Harrison Smith and Andrew Sendejo. The team also has quality backups in Jayron Kearse and Anthony Harris.