Don’t Forget That Fancy Vikings Offseason Rumor
The Minnesota Vikings’ longest-standing rumor remains unresolved, as free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. has yet to sign with an NFL team through six weeks of the regular season.
It has been put on the backburner during the NFL’s regular season, but don’t lose touch with one Minnesota Vikings lingering offseason rumor: Asante Samuel Jr.
The last word on Samuel Jr. from late summer was a possible mid-October contract with a team, pending a successful surgery. And don’t look now, but that timeline is … here.
A Revisitation of the Asante Samuel Jr. Rumor Mill for Vikings
The guy hasn’t signed anywhere yet, and it may be go-time.
Asante Samuel Jr. Still a Free Agent
Back in September, NFL writer Adam La Rose wrote, “Asante Samuel Jr. remains one of the top free agent corners still available with Week 1 approaching. A deal should not be expected any time soon, however. Samuel underwent neck surgery in April, and his recovery process has dictated the nature of his market. The latest development on that front, courtesy of ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, is that Samuel is set to undergo a CT scan in October to ensure his spinal fusion was a success.”
“It is after that point that the 25-year-old will look to sign with a new team. Interest has existed in this case throughout the offseason. Samuel visited the Saints in May after being hosted by the Cardinals prior to his surgery. The Fort Lauderdale, FL. native has also been in touch with the Dolphins. Comments made about Miami’s culture under Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel by Samuel’s father led to speculation a deal would not be feasible between the parties. Instead, a Dolphins accord could still be worked out at some point.”
Per that timeline, the rubber should hit the road on Samuel Jr.’s free-agent plans as early as this week.
If Samuel Jr. Is Going to Play This Year, the Time Is Probably Now
Neck injuries to football players — or any athlete — are notoriously dicey, usually lingering and involving an uncertain career outlook. Such is the case for Samuel Jr. Current Vikings outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel is also battling a neck ailment, and no one knows when he’ll return to the starting lineup.
Still, if Samuel Jr.’s surgery were successful, now would be the time when he takes his free-agent plunge. Samuel Jr. is only 26, so he has youth on his side to recover from almost any injury.
The man was a Top 5 cornerback on the offseason free-agent market, making his prolonged free agency both bizarre and intriguing. If he’s healthy, that saga should end any day.
The Vikings’ CB Situation
Entering Week 7, Minnesota has these cornerbacks in its roster orbit:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Jeff Okudah
- Dwight McGlothern
- Fabian Moreau (Practice Squad)
- Zemaiah Vaughn (Practice Squad)
- Tyrek Funderburk (Practice Squad)
In theory, Samuel Jr. would slide onto that list around CB3 — Okudah’s spot — and be the next man up as CB2 if an injury beset Murphy Jr. or Rodgers.
Since free agency began seven months ago, many purple fans wondered why the team acted so sheepishly at cornerback after stacking talent at every other roster position. One idea suggested the team was waiting for Samuel Jr. to sign, and that theory will be tested in the coming days and weeks.
The 7-Month-Long Rumor
Where did this rumor come from — Samuel Jr. to the Vikings? SKOR North.
That network ran a segment in March with an anonymous tip regarding Samuel Jr’s alleged connection to Minnesota.
“I was always a bit hesitant to wade too far into the waters of reckless speculation. However, earlier this morning — it’s a couple days ago — I received quite an interesting call from my neighbor. He had just received a text message from his daughter, who is currently in Fort Lauderdale on spring break. She was with friends at the SWAY Nightclub,” SKOR North‘s Phil Mackey read the message from the anonymous tipper.
“She noticed a young man in a Vikings cap with an entourage around him. She’s a big football fan and made her way toward him and asked if he played for the Vikings. He kinda smiled and said, ‘It won’t be official for about five weeks, but yes.'”
Mackey then cut to the chase: “So, she then asked for his name and he introduced himself as ‘Asante.'”
Yes, that’s really where the rumor originated.
The Lions in the Hunt?
Detroit could be a player in the Samuel Jr. sweepstakes, too.
Fansided‘s Nick Halden wrote last Friday, “This means the Lions must jump on the opportunity and sign Asante Samuel Jr. before the Eagles do. It was a penalty on corner Kelee Ringo that cemented Philly’s loss to the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football, driving home the urgency for an upgrade at the position. While Samuel is still recovering from offseason surgery, the timeline of his return will soon be determined, with the experienced corner expected to be able to play when the games matter most.”
“While Samuel was expected to wait for a return timeline to sign with a team, the Lions have a chance to skip the line. Hand the corner an incentive-laced deal that is too good to pass up, built around the expectation that he will return. If he signs, he would be joining the franchise with the best record in the NFC and a defense that Samuel would seamlessly fit into. All making it clear that the move needs to be made by a quiet Detroit front office.”
Wherever Samuel Jr. lands, he’ll likely fetch a one-year “prove it” deal for the rest of the season. Samuel Jr. banked a 73.8 Pro Football Focus grade during his last fully healthy season — 2023.
You must be logged in to post a comment.