Former Vikings Defender Wants Another Chance
Cameron Dantzler’s career has all but flamed out in the NFL, but the man wants back in.
Former Vikings Defender Wants Another Chance
The once-promising former Minnesota Vikings cornerback has tweeted a few times in the last several weeks about his desire to return. He wants to be back and a part of the big leagues.
Dantlzer tweeted last Friday, “My story isn’t over just watch what God about to do with me 😊🙏🏽.”
And one week before the previous tweet, Dantzler posted, “I’ll be back playing this year. Can’t wait 🥺 I missed it so much not going to lie. God opened my eyes to never get too comfortable and to remain prayed up and humble. Bc it all can leave. Lord I thank you in advance.”
Plus, the trifecta from December, “I know I was immature and had some growing up to do as a man and as a PRO. Me not being on a team right now is crazy work tho🤦🏽♂️.”
Social media campaigns like Dantzler’s rarely work, and if he parlayed the pleas into an NFL contract, it would likely be a summer tryout that, at best, could fetch practice squad placement. The 26-year-old played — a little bit — for the New Orleans Saints in 2023, but New Orleans waived him on January 1st, 2024. He later latched onto the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas and a CFL club.
Here’s his career resume to date:
- Minnesota Vikings (2020–2022)
- Washington Commanders (2023)
- Buffalo Bills (2023)
- Houston Texans (2023)
- New Orleans Saints (2023)
- San Antonio Brahmas (2024)
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2024–present)
Dantzler has bounced like a pinball after leaving the Vikings. Minnesota waived him on March 10th, 2023. He was scooped off waivers soon after by the Washington Commanders, who later said sayonara to Dantzler in May. On June 7th, the Buffalo Bills signed Dantzler to their 90-man roster, where he’d presumably vie for a regular season roster spot.
Seven weeks later, Buffalo waived Dantzler as well. Then, during the NFL’s final roster trimdowns in August, Dantzler was an odd man out in Houston with the Texans. An adventure, indeed.
The veteran defender showed various flashes of productivity since entering the NFL as a 3rd-Round draft pick in 2020 but finished three straight seasons with a whimper due to injury or otherwise. Dantzler fired up a praiseworthy 70.9 Pro Football Focus grade as a rookie, followed by an even better 73.8 score in 2021. Yet, after getting injured midseason in 2022, Dantzler never seemed to recover and lost his starting job.
Vikings fans and pundits knew the 2023 offseason would entail defensive change, but Dantzler wasn’t necessarily on the list of probable cuts. He was inexpensive, young, and possessed the “upside” label. Still, Minnesota parted ways with Dantzler, adding newcomer CBs Byron Murphy, Mekhi Blackmon, and Joejuan Williams.
In 2022, Dantzler scored a game-sealing fumble recovery — which was really just Dantzler yanking a football away from former teammate Ihmir Smith-Marsette — over the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. It turned out to be his sweetest highlight of the season and perhaps his career.
It’s worth noting that Dantzler somehow found the doghouse under two Vikings head coaches — Mike Zimmer in 2021 and Kevin O’Connell in 2022. Perhaps he’s grown and will find employment before too long.
If Dantzler’s comeback wish is granted, it will probably be a team this spring or summer, where he’d battle in training camp for a roster spot.
He’ll turn 27 this fall.
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.
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