Ex-Vikings CB Could Sign with Texans
Remember Stephon Gilmore? The former Minnesota Vikings cornerback could be in sudden demand.
One notable former Vikings cornerback could be in the mix for the Houston Texans after Ronald Darby retired on Monday.
Gilmore played for the Vikings in 2024, an emergency solution after cornerback Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL last July and rookie defensive back Khyree Jackson passed away.
Now, with any luck, Gilmore could become a Houston Texan.
Newly Acquired Texans CB Ronald Darby Retires
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and DJ Bien-Aime wrote Monday, “Veteran cornerback Ronald Darby has informed the Houston Texans that he is retiring from the NFL. The Texans placed Darby on the reserve/retired list Monday. Darby, 31, had signed a one-year contract in March with the Texans as a free agent after he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He started 12 games for the Jaguars in 2024 in his only season for the franchise.”
“Darby was expected to be a veteran backup to the Texans’ starting cornerback duo of Kamari Lassiter and All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. and his retirement does add a hole to the depth of the group. Darby had 107 career starts in the NFL while the rest of Houston’s non-starters have 25 combined.”
That’s a wrap for Darby, which creates a roster need for the Texans.
Stephon Gilmore Immediately a Replacement Theory
So, the theory goes — Gilmore might be the natural replacement for Darby. He fulfilled the same assignment in Minnesota last year.
SI.com’s Matthew Schmidt led the way with the Gilmore-Houston theory: “The Houston Texans signed Ronald Darby to provide some much-needed cornerback depth behind Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter earlier this offseason, only to see Darby shockingly announce his retirement from the NFL this week.”
“While that means the Texans could depend on rookie corner Jaylin Smith, it doesn’t seem very likely that Houston will put all of its eggs in that basket. The good news is that there are still plenty of very viable cornerback options remaining on the free-agent market, and that includes former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.”
Gilmore is a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and Super Bowl champion.
Schmidt added, “Gilmore spent the 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings and was productive, registering 56 tackles, an interception and nine passes defended in 15 games. Is he the same dominant force he was during his peak years with the New England Patriots? No, but he is probably the best corner available, and he would comprise a terrific depth addition.”
“Stingley and Lassiter are both terrific, and we also know that the Texans are absolutely loaded at safety with Jalen Pitre, Calen Bullock and offseason trade addition C.J. Gardner-Johnson. But again, behind Houston’s two starting cornerbacks, there are questions.”
The Texans’ CB Room
Sans Darby and without Gilmore yet, these are Houston’s cornerbacks at the moment:
- Derek Stingley Jr.
- Kamari Lassiter
- Jalen Pitre (nickel)
- Jaylin Smith
- Tremon Smith
- Myles Bryant
- Keydrain Calligan
- D’Angelo Ross
- Alijah Huzzie
Theoretically, Gilmore would fit snugly around CB3 or CB4 on that depth chart.
One More Hurrah for Gilmore?
Gilmore actually hinted at retirement earlier in the offseason, but then was spotted at Dallas Cowboys headquarters in late April.
He likely still has the juice for one more run in the NFL, and with Darby’s retirement, the Texans absolutely make sense.
Certainly, Gilmore is no longer the five-time Pro Bowler from his heyday. Yet, Houston as a final stop would make a lot of sense for both parties.
Gilmore in Minnesota Last Season
Gilmore tabulated a 63.9 Pro Football Focus grade in 2024, along with a 94.1 passer rating against.
He started the season rather hot, and in fact, helped the Vikings win a game overseas in London by intercepting a pass from Aaron Rodgers in a dub over the New York Jets.
Retirement felt likely in January, but with Houston in the rumor mill for Gilmore’s services, one last ride is in play.
Gilmore will turn 35 in September, right around Week 3.
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