This Is the Vikings’ Only Question Mark
The Minnesota Vikings have formulated a 90-man roster over the last seven weeks, adding oodles of newcomers from free agency, the 2025 NFL Draft, and undrafted free agency.
This Is the Vikings’ Only Question Mark
The teams will kick off organized team activities (OTAs) next month, and training camp occurs in late July.
Most agree that the purple team’s roster is in dazzling shape and does not need many repairs or tweaks, thanks to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s astute efforts this offseason.
But one debatable roster concern remains — cornerback.
It’s Cornerback
So far this offseason, veteran cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin have not returned. Gilmore might retire or sign with the Dallas Cowboys. Griffin met with the Seattle Seahawks earlier this month but did not sign a deal with that organization.
Minnesota responded by signing Isaiah Rodgers, a Super Bowl champion, and former third overall pick from the 2020 draft, Jeff Okudah. The club will also welcome back third-year corner Mekhi Blackmon.
And, of course, Adofo-Mensah re-signed Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. Therefore, the Vikings assuredly have the human bodies to field a competent CB bunch, but is the quantity superseding the quality?
That’s where the debate ensues.
The Full 2025 CB Group before Summer
For context, these are the Vikings’ corners at the moment — all eleven:
CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
CB2: Isaiah Rodgers
CB3: Mekhi Blackmon
CB4: Jeff Okudah
CB5: Dwight McGlothern
CB6: Tavierre Thomas
CB7: Ambry Thomas
CB8: Reddy Steward
CB9: Kahlef Hailassie
CB10: Keenan Garber
CB11: Zemaiah Vaughn
The team will keep five or six of those players for the September roster.
Why It’s a Question Mark
So, a decision in the eye of the beholder — is that enough for a Super Bowl-contending team? Minnesota has carefully built a roster this offseason to win a championship, so long as quarterback J.J. McCarthy is legitimate — a grand if.
Murphy Jr. is trustworthy. No debates there. After Murphy Jr., however, the speculation thickens.
Vikings coaches have spoken glowingly about Rodgers over the last two months, with Brian Flores particularly excited about the defender, even likening Rodgers to Zach Baun of the Philadelphia Eagles, a linebacker who busted into stardom last season.
Blackmon played well as a rookie but tore his ACL last July. Okudah is a so-far draft bust but possesses the physical tools to do some damage. McGlothern is a promising UDFA lottery ticket.
Normally, Super Bowl-contending franchises have at least one more cornerback of Murphy Jr.’s caliber. Unless Rodgers or Blackmon breaks out, these Vikings do not.
Asante Samuel Jr. from Free Agency?
A nagging shoulder and neck injury has prevented Asante Samuel Jr. from signing with a new team. Rumors have attached him to the Vikings’ roster somewhat outlandishly in the last month, and Minnesota can sign him now if it desires. He will no longer count against Adofo-Mensah’s 2026 compensatory draft pick formula.
It also doesn’t sound like a reunion for Samuel Jr. and the Chargers is in the works. Reporters asked Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz about Samuel Jr.’s chance of rejoining the team, and he replied, “That’s Asante’s conversation, not mine.”
SI.com’s Chris Roling wrote about Samuel Jr. and the Chargers before the draft: “Samuel, a second-round pick by the Chargers in 2021, went on injured reserve last season in Week 6…after the team’s bye week. Around playoff time, fans caught a cryptic post from the cornerback on social media, and in January, Samuel told reporters that his shoulder injury got worse due to contact and that it’s something that is a lifelong issue.”
“In other words, it has long felt like Samuel wouldn’t be back with the Chargers. They’ve moved forward with fifth-round breakouts Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart and signed Donte Jackson in free agency. They could add another cornerback as high as the first round next week.”
Samuel Jr.’s injury concerns must be front and center because otherwise, some team would’ve signed him by now.
Roling added, “As for Samuel, he could be a post-draft signing by a team that wants to roll the dice on upside, depending on how the draft shakes out. But words and actions seem to hint a reunion is unlikely for Samuel and the Chargers.”
Like the cornerback position on the whole, Samuel Jr. to Minnesota is a question mark.
Other CB Options
If Minnesota wishes to add more CB talent, Jack Jones is a free agent. So are the aforementioned Gilmore and Griffin.
Green Bay Packers corner Jaire Alexander seems disillusioned with the cheese team, and he could be released before too long.
Besides those open market options, Adofo-Mensah might be left with the status quo or a trade for someone like Greg Newsome II of the Cleveland Browns.
Overall, Minnesota may trust its group of 11 and hope competition spurs three to five every-Sunday contributors.
The Vikings’ Big Trade Is Official
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