New Cornerback Signs with Vikings
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did not win the Asante Samuel Jr. free agency sweepstakes, instead watching as Samuel Jr. became a Pittsburgh Steeler this week. So, no rest of the wicked, Adofo-Mensah added little-known corner Shemar Bartholomew on Tuesday.
The Vikings have signed a new cornerback, formerly with the Carolina Panthers, adding experience and depth to their secondary ahead of Week 11.
The young cornerback will carve out a spot on the team’s practice squad and hope for an eventual call-up.
CB Shemar Bartholomew to Vikings
A just-in-case signing.
Vikings Ink Bartholomew
It’s a fresh face at corner for the 4-5 Vikings.
Vikings.com‘s Rob Kleifield wrote Tuesday, “Minnesota added to its cornerback depth Tuesday, signing Shemar Bartholomew to its practice squad. Originally an undrafted signing by the New York Jets in 2024, Bartholomew, 25, made five appearances for the Carolina Panthers last season. He recorded three tackles and defended two passes while playing 17 defensive snaps and another 34 on special teams.”
“A Houston, Texas, native, Bartholomew is 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds. He played college football first at Northwestern St. in Louisiana and finished at Georgia Southern, where he logged 29 tackles, including three for a loss, one interception and 14 PBUs in 2023 en route to Second-Team All-Sun Belt recognition.”
The 25-year-old will now remain in Minnesota’s extended roster orbit indefinitely.
Who Is … Shemar Bartholomew?
Bartholomew went undrafted in 2024, signing with the New York Jets late in April 2024. He stood off the page in the preseason, enough for Jets-themed analysts and fans to predict a roster spot in the regular season. That didn’t quite come to fruition, and New York cut Bartholomew amid 2024 roster cuts.
Four teams submitted waiver claims for him the following day, with the Panthers winning the mini-sweepstakes. He later appeared in five Panthers games last year, tabulating 17 snaps on defense and 34 on special teams.
Bartholomew stuck around Carolina for the 2025 offseason and through the summer. Like in 2024, he didn’t make the active roster when it was all said and done, instead earning a spot on the practice squad. That was short-lived. The Panthers released him on August 27th.
And here the Vikings are for new employment on November 11th.
The Revised Cornerback Setup
With Bartholomew in the house, here’s the Vikings’ new and improved CB room:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Fabian Moreau
- Jeff Okudah (Injured Reserve)
- Dwight McGlothern
- Zemaiah Vaughn
- Tyrek Funderburk
- Gavin Bartholomew
This season, Minnesota has utilized a big nickel defense much more frequently than last year, so safeties often take care of duties that a CB4 might otherwise perform.
One CB Injury from Outright Panic
Bartholomew’s addition to the practice squad is noteworthy for one primary reason: one injury to Murphy Jr. or Rodgers would wreak havoc on Minnesota’s defense. Moreau might hold up for a while, but most teams have three to five playable cornerbacks. For now, the Vikings seem to have three at the maximum.
So, if Rodgers, for instance, got hurt, Bartholomew could be an immediate ‘next man up’ option to play in the regular season. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has gone out of his way this year to ensure that McGlothern does not see playing time in meaningful situation. McGlothern is the garbage-time cornerback.
Scouting Report on Bartholomew
Gange Green Nation‘s Bent Double scouted Bartholomew in 2024: “Bartholomew posted good coverage numbers at Georgia Southern, as he allowed a completion on less than 50 percent of his targets. He did give up three touchdowns and quite a few big plays though. He’s a rangy athlete with long strides who looks at his best in bump-and-run style coverages when he can run with his man on downfield routes or crossers.”
“He will also drop into zone coverages. The issue with Bartholomew on some of his negative plays is that he can be slow to anticipate and react to route breaks. When playing off coverage, this can be an issue too, particularly if he gives his man too much of a cushion. Bartholomew had some excellent production in terms of his ability to make plays on the ball, with 34 passes defensed and 10 interceptions in his career.”
The Vikings’ cornerbacks have remained unusually healthy this season, while the rest of the team has not.
“As noted, he was ninth in the nation in pass break-ups last season. One thing that’s impressive about his footage is that he usually does a good job of running with his man and then turning his head to locate the ball early. This enables him to contest at the catch point where he uses his length well. Even on this play where his man got a step on him and he didn’t have time to get his head turned, he recovered well, with good timing,” Double continued.
“His timing, how effectively he uses his length and his 36-inch vertical are all assets that enable him to extend and contest catches. He’s shown impressive hands on some of his interceptions, often leaping in front of the intended receiver or dropping off his assignment to jump a route in zone coverage.”
Bartholomew could also be eligible for a futures contract when the 2026 offseason arrives.
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