Vikings Again Linked to Hot Shot Free Agent
It’s a rumor that has lasted over three months — cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings have once again been linked to Asante Samuel Jr., the latest in an offseason stuffed to the gills with the same theory. It’s the latest in the rumor mill that never sleeps.
The theory has sketchy origins, mainly because it involved a game of telephone with somebody’s neighbor and was advanced by the crew over at SKOR North.
Yet, Samuel Jr. should sign somewhere before too long if given a full medical green light, and CBS Sports claimed this week that the Vikings represent a wise landing spot for the 25-year-old.
Vikings, Asante Samuel Jr. Rumors Persist
CBS Sports did the honors this week, keeping Samuel Jr. to Minnesota alive and well.
Vikings Named a Landing Spot for Asante Samuel Jr.
CBS Sports‘ Tyler Sullivan sized up the most sensible destinations for the ex-Los Angeles Charger, and Minnesota was included.
He wrote, “The Vikings surrendered 239.8 passing yards per game last season, which was the fourth highest in the league. This offseason, they saw the secondary take a hit with the departures of cornerback Stephon Gilmore (15 starts in 2024) along with safety Camryn Bynum in free agency.”
“They did sign outside corners Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah earlier this offseason, but neither of them is a sure thing. Rodgers started in just three of his 19 games played for the Philadelphia Eagles (including playoffs), while Okudah was limited to six games (zero starts) with the Houston Texans in 2024 due to injury.”
If fully healthy, adding Samuel Jr. would act as a phenomenal cake-topper to the Vikings’ heavy-hitting offseason.
“Bringing Samuel in would give the Vikings another opportunity to hit on a low-cost veteran free agent who helps maintain Brian Flores’ defense as one of the top in the NFL,” Sullivan concluded.
A Longstanding Offseason Rumor
This theory has ruminated in the purple rumor mill since March.
An anonymous source claimed to have spotted Samuel Jr. at a Florida nightclub wearing a Vikings hat, and believe it or not, that’s where the rumor grew legs.
And when Minnesota did not draft a cornerback in April, well, the rumor mill just never died.
And here we are, less than three weeks before training camp, with CBS Sports articles naming Minnesota as a Samuel Jr. landing spot.
The CB Room with Samuel Jr.
If this thing actually materialized, Minnesota’s cornerback corps would look like this in 2025:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Asante Samuel Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Jeff Okudah
- Dwight McGlothern
Most fans would approve of the group.
Samuel Sr. Causing Rifts
Meanwhile, Samuel Jr.’s father, Asante Samuel Sr., did his son no favors last week from a Vikings standpoint.
He hopped on someone’s podcast and decided to call Hall of Famer Cris Carter “overrated,” insisting the Vikings legend was just a “possession receiver.”
Samuel Sr. and Carter didn’t even play in the same era.
Cardinals, Raiders Also on the Samuel Jr. List
Sullivan also mentioned the Arizona Cardinals as a Samuel Jr. landing spot: “Arizona has used second-round picks in each of the past two NFL Drafts to bring in corners. Max Melton came to town in 2024 but started just three games as a rookie. Meanwhile, the Cardinals drafted Will Johnson in the second round this past spring out of Michigan. Johnson’s talent made him a first-round caliber prospect, but his stock dipped due to injury concerns.
“At just 25 years old at the start of this season, Samuel Jr. would still bring youth to the position group, but also some much-needed starting experience as well.”
The Las Vegas Raiders got some love, too: “Third-round rookie Darien Porter could factor into one of the starting spots on the boundary, but there’s not much promise beyond that. The Raiders did sign Eric Stokes in March, but given that it’s simply a one-year, $4 million deal, he shouldn’t be looked at as a lock to be a bona fide starter.”
“Similar to Minnesota, adding Samuel Jr. would give the Raiders another dice roll as they look for stability in the secondary. And they’ll need it playing in an AFC West division that consists of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix.”
If given a clean bill of health, Samuel Jr. will likely sign with a new team in the next three weeks.
Beloved Ex-Viking Wants Back In
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