Former Viking Auditions for 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers lost to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday — and auditioned one of the purple team’s former players two days later.
Former Viking Auditions for 49ers
He’s cornerback Chandon Sullivan, who could soon parlay the tryout into a contract.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted two days before Week 3: “The 49ers worked out Tre Herndon, Danny Johnson and Chandon Sullivan.”
Here’s the veteran corner’s career resume to date:
- Philadelphia Eagles (2018)
- Green Bay Packers (2019–2021)
- Minnesota Vikings (2022)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2023)
And if a contract for Sullivan comes to fruition, he’d join this 49ers cornerback room:
- Charvarius Ward
- Isaac Yiadom
- Deommodore Lenoir
- Rock Ya-Sin
- Darrell Luter Jr.
- Renardo Green
- Chase Lucas (Practice Squad)
Sullivan last played for the Steelers, seeing action on 422 defensive plays in 2023. He produced a decent 61.2 Pro Football Focus grade for his troubles. His one-year deal expired after the 2023 campaign, and no team signed him — which he hopes will change with the 49ers tryout.
Sullivan was the slot cornerback for the 2022 Vikings, an assignment that turned out to be a one-year pitstop, not all that different from former defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. Minnesota hired Donatell at the dawn of the Kevin O’Connell age, the team won 13 games with the NFL’s second-worst defense per yards allowed, and Donatell was dismissed four days after the Vikings lost in the postseason. Brian Flores was hired thereafter, and Sullivan wasn’t prioritized for a second season in Minnesota.
Referees notably robbed Sullivan of two defensive touchdowns — in the same game — against the Indianapolis Colts in December. The Vikings still pulled off the greatest comeback in NFL history, but if officials didn’t prematurely blow dead Sullivan’s fumble returns for touchdowns, the 33-0 halftime hole wouldn’t have been as egregious.
In one season with the Vikings, Sullivan fired up a 55.8 Pro Football Focus grade, the 21st-worst leaguewide among 118 qualifying cornerbacks. In that regard, it is no surprise the Vikings said “no thanks” to a Sullivan sequel in 2023.
The 49ers’ defense ranks 14th leaguewide per DVOA through two games. The passing defense, specifically, ranks 12th. San Francisco also remains the secondary frontrunner behind the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl in February with +650 odds.
San Francisco hits the road again this week for a date with the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
The 49ers also employ former Vikings Joshua Dobbs (QB) and T.Y. McGill (DT, PS).
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.