Former Viking Could End Up with Bengals
The Minnesota Vikings’ cornerback room is in fairly decent shape, with organized team activities (OTAs) less than a week away.
Ex-Vikings defender Stephon Gilmore could eventually sign with the Cincinnati Bengals, says NFL.com.
The franchise probably doesn’t need to add more cornerback talent, and for example, has not re-signed men from the 2024 roster like Shaquill Griffin and Stephon Gilmore.
Gilmore, though, could land elsewhere for his 14th NFL season, and according to NFL.com, the Cincinnati Bengals would be an appropriate spot for the 34-year-old.
Bengals Listed as a Landing Spot for Stephon Gilmore
Earlier this month, NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha sized up landing spots for the league’s best remaining free agents. For Gilmore, the Bengals evidently made the most sense.
Chadiah wrote, “Cincinnati needs as much depth and experience as it can find in its secondary after fielding one of the league’s worst pass defenses last season. Even though he turns 35 in September, Gilmore could help with that cause.”
“For one, he’s still proven to be a competent man-coverage cornerback, which is a skill set the Bengals will covet with new defensive coordinator Al Golden replacing Lou Anarumo (Golden relied heavily on man coverage as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator last season). Cincinnati also is hoping that Daxton Hill can rebound from a torn ACL that limited him to just five games in 2024.”
The Bengals’ defense ranked 27th in the NFL last year per EPA/Play, so every little bit helps.
Chadiha added, “Gilmore can provide depth in case Hill is slow to return to form. Gilmore also has done everything a cornerback can do in this league — a list that includes winning a Super Bowl in New England and being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 — so his leadership would be invaluable for a team with so many young players at that position. Finally, Gilmore would be cheap.”
“He played on a one-year deal valued at $10 million in Minnesota last season. For a team that just gave huge extensions to wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins — and continues to not be on the same page with star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson — a bargain like this at cornerback would be ideal.”
As Gilmore’s career is drawing to a close, he might seek Super Bowl contenders only for his next employment spot, and Cincinnati would make sense with that prerequisite.
Gilmore’s NFL Resume
The Vikings signed Gilmore late last summer when rookie corner Khyree Jackson passed away and second-year defensive back Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL at training camp. All in all, Gilmore played quite well, especially in the season’s first two months.
Here’s his NFL resume since turning pro in 2012:
- Buffalo Bills (2012–2016)
- New England Patriots (2017–2020)
- Carolina Panthers (2021)
- Indianapolis Colts (2022)
- Dallas Cowboys (2023)
- Minnesota Vikings (2024)
The Bengals’ Current CB Room
Without Gilmore, the Bengals employ these cornerbacks at the start of summer:
- DJ Turner II
- Cam Taylor-Britt
- Dax Hill
- Josh Newton
- DJ Ivey
- Jalen Davis
- Marco Wilson
- Nate Brooks
- Lance Robinson
- Bralyn Lux
The first three men, Turner II, Taylor-Britt, and Hill, are decent, but on the whole, the unit lacks talent compared to other Super Bowl contenders — probably why Chadiha listed Gilmore as a free-agent option.
Retirement for Gilmore?
Gilmore could also retire. At the onset of the offseason, he told reporters that he’d sit down with his family to discuss his options, and for a man about to turn 35, his days are numbered.
He’s from the same draft class as Vikings safety Harrison Smith, and the end is nigh for both players.
Suppose Gilmore does not retire and does not sign with the Bengals; he’s been linked to the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Pittsburgh Steelers in the rumor mill. Gilmore was even spotted at Cowboys headquarters right before the draft.
Bengals-Themed Media on the Gilmore Theory
Athlon Sports‘ Anthony Licciardi wrote about the prospect of Gilmore in orange and black: “Another perimeter corner could be of use, especially one with big-game experience. Gilmore’s accomplishments might land him in the Hall of Fame one day. One final showing would certainly help.”
“Gilmore is relatively stable in coverage, even in his mid-30s, and a limited role might help mitigate concerns with an athletic decline. His consistency against the run certainly helps, too.”
The veteran defender produced a 63.9 Pro Football Focus grade with the Vikings last year.
Licciardi added, “The Bengals won’t be expected to make any significant moves, at least not until the Hendrickson extension is figured out. Given the price tag and the limited market, Gilmore is a reasonable target this late in the offseason.”
Cincinnati could re-sign one of their own, Mike Hilton, also a free agent.
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