Welcome to the Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 offseason.
Vikings Offseason: This Is the Most Pressing Need
The event arrived too fast, thanks to a one-and-done playoff loss by Minnesota. The Los Angeles Rams clobbered the Vikings on Monday Night Football in the Wildcard Round, and that was a wrap.
So, the offseason is here, even if fans weren’t quite prepared for it. And above all else, Minnesota needs a cornerback or two this offseason, qualifying as the most important offseason need.
Here’s why.
The 2025 Slate of CBs
As of January 14th, Minnesota is scheduled to have these cornerbacks under contract in 2025:
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Dwight McGlothern
- NaJee Thompson
Of course, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could re-sign Pro Bowler Byron Murphy, easing a lot of the pain from the most pressing need category.
But the lesson? The Vikings need Murphy back in the saddle, plus another keynote CB contributor. Simply signing Murphy and calling it good probably won’t work in today’s NFL.
It’s unclear if Stephon Gilmore or Shaquill Griffin — free agents to be — would represent a year-to-year fix.
The Possible Free Agents
Free agency is two months away.
These men will be available if they don’t re-sign with their current clubs:
- D.J. Reed
- Paulson Adebo
- Rasul Douglas
- Charvarius Ward
- Asante Samuel
Minnesota is on tap to spend over $70 million, so all free-agent options are game.
The NFL Draft
Thereafter, the Vikings will pick 24th in the draft. If they stay in that spot or trade back into Round 2, these options can satisfy the CB need:
- Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina)
- Jahdae Barron (Texas)
- Trey Amos (Ole Miss)
It’s worth noting that the Vikings are overdue to draft a productive corner. The last was Trae Waynes — 10 years ago. The franchise has swung and missed at cornerback in the draft since.
Honorable “Most Pressing Need” Mentions
Finally, if Minnesota disagrees that cornerback is the most pressing need, these roster spots will need love:
- Defensive Tackle
- Center
- Offensive Guard
The organization exists in a favorable spot with ample cap space, plus a quarterback on an affordable deal waiting to take over, but per usual, the roster will need maintenance in the next four months, and it all starts at cornerback.
Career for Beloved Viking Could Be Over
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 MIN 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.