It’s Down to One for the Vikings
It’s fine that the Minnesota Vikings didn’t sign Jaire Alexander. There are still plenty of other options to address the cornerback position if they choose to do so. They should.
The Minnesota Vikings watched another cornerback come off the board, and that leaves just Stephon Gilmore as a familiar face option.
What is true is that the Vikings now only have one legitimate option if they want to return to the old friend well. No, Fabian Moreau is not a real option. Shaq Griffin is now off the board after heading back to the Seattle Seahawks. That leaves just the exciting late addition, Stephon Gilmore, from last season.
I’m not even sure Gilmore has another year in him, or that he should. If the Minnesota Vikings want to add high-floor depth to their cornerback room, though, and they want a familiar face, then that’s who they can look at.
Last year, Gilmore signed just prior to the regular season. The former 10th overall pick is nearing Harrison Smith status as the upcoming season would be his 14th in the NFL. In 2024, Gilly Lock started all 15 games he played in for Minnesota. The highlight was a game-sealing interception against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in London.
Perhaps the Vikings Enjoy the CB Room As Is
Gilmore, despite his age, was still plenty competent last year. He had just the lone interception, but he recorded nine passes defensed and had 56 total tackles with a tackle for loss.
Byron Murphy Jr. is back to lead the Vikings’ cornerback group. Brian Flores tabbed Isaiah Rodgers as another starting-caliber talent. Gilmore wouldn’t have to do much heavy lifting for this team, and he could play something of the third fiddle as Shaq Griffin did a season ago.
Maybe the Vikings simply have no interest in one of their own, and that’s fine. I do think it’s pretty indefensible to leave the group as is. There is depth, but very little of it has any level of certainty. As more corners come off the board, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will need to act.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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