The Vikings Released a CB and Fans Revolted
Fans may not have made much of it if the team were cruising and winning games, but when the Minnesota Vikings released young cornerback Dwight McGlothern on Thursday, social media users cried foul, questioning the move and the process.
The Vikings released a cornerback, and fans immediately revolted, firing off frustration and pushing back hard on the move across social media.
McGlothern will hit waivers and can then sign anywhere in the NFL — or return to Minnesota’s practice squad.
Vikings Drop CB Dwight McGlothern
The Vikings are down to three cornerbacks on the active roster.
McGlothern Out after 11 Weeks
At least for a couple of days, that’s a wrap on McGlothern’s stay in Minnesota.
Vikings.com‘s Craig Peters announced, “The Vikings on Thursday announced they have waived cornerback Dwight McGlothern, Jr. McGlothern has appeared in eight games this season, logging 31 snaps on defense and 16 on special teams. The second-year pro appeared in five games as a rookie with 19 snaps on defense and 17 on special teams. McGlothern joined Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2024.”
Often, when such a head-scratching move occurs, the Vikings sign the guy back to the practice squad soon after. We shall see if that fate awaits McGlothern.
Making Room for Center Ryan Kelly
Why McGlothern? Well, someone apparently had to exit stage left to make room for four-time Pro Bowler Ryan Kelly.
Kelly suffered two concussions in 14 days earlier this season, casting his career into doubt. But two months later, wearing a precautionary Guardian helmet — one of those ginormous, cartoon-like ones — Kelly is on his way back to the Vikings’ starting lineup.
Minnesota assessed the low man on the totem pole from the 53-man roster, and for better or worse, that’s McGlothern.
The Social Media Rage
Not expecting the roster release, fans teed off on the organization. For many, McGlothern represented an unpolished or misunderstood gem on the Vikings’ roster. He’s a big CB and turned heads at training camp in 2024 and 2025. But when the rubber hit the road in the regular season, defensive coordinator Brian Flores rarely used McGlothern.
Accordingly, purple fans on X decried McGlothern’s release.
Tyler Ireland replied to Minnesota’s post: “We traded Mekhi Blackmon for virtually nothing and we were told it was because they were so confident in Jeff Okudah and Dwight McGlothern.”
Another account with some sarcasm: “Well makes sense he’s only 23. He brings the average roster age down.”
A guy named Paco delivered this one: “The thinnest CB room in the NFL just got thinner.”
A fan named Kyle wasn’t happy: “This team is not serious. Our DB room is an absolute joke.”
And Jordan Silveria with a rational summation: “About time as I actually expected we’d have seen the move coming for a while now. Nudie McGlothern just never really played and when he did, he didn’t have outstanding tape (be it preseason or in blowout time this season) He’s clearly not an ‘answer to the Vikings CB woes!”
Fabian Moreau as the New CB3
Minnesota is down to three cornerbacks on the active roster. That’s a dangerously low level.
Here’s the trio:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Fabian Moreau
- Jeff Okudah (IR)
Okudah should be back soon to alleviate the volume fears, but Okudah was also routinely torched by opposing quarterbacks before two concussions sent him to injured reserve.
Minnesota evidently has faith in Moreau and his semi-trustworthy 65.9 Pro Football Focus grade.
SI.com on the Transaction
Will Ragatz added more context on Thursday, “This move leaves Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Fabian Moreau as the only cornerbacks currently on Minnesota’s 53-man roster. Moreau has stepped into the CB3 role since Jeff Okudah landed on IR with a concussion.”
“The Vikings do currently have three corners on their practice squad: Zemaiah Vaughn, Tyrek Funderburk, and Shemar Bartholomew. They’d need to release someone from the PS if they’re going to bring McGlothern back. This offseason, McGlothern again made his share of plays over the course of training camp, and he again found himself with a spot on the 53-man roster.”
If you’re into the Vikings’ offseason operations, cornerback will be near the very top of the list for roster needs.
Ragatz added, “He was one of just four corners who made it, along with Murphy, Rodgers, and Okudah. But once again, playing time has been hard to find. In eight games this season, he’s played 31 defensive snaps and 16 on special teams. Nonetheless, this move is a bit of a surprise. McGlothern has shown promise in each of the past two offseasons, he’s only 23 years old, and he was one of just four cornerbacks on the roster prior to being waived.”
“It’ll be interesting to see if he clears waivers and is brought back to the practice squad. The Vikings will presumably elevate a fourth CB to their gameday roster on Saturday, whether that’s McGlothern or someone else.”
Remember that McGlothern could be back on the practice squad by Friday afternoon. That’s a real possibility.
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