New Vikings Rumor Spreads Like Wildfire
Minnesota Vikings fans will eventually look back at the 2025 offseason and remember that Asante Samuel Jr. rumors began just as Aaron Rodgers theories fizzled.
New Vikings Rumor Spreads Like Wildfire
The Vikings brass all but ruled out Rodgers as a QB1 solution in 2025, preferring J.J. McCarthy instead. But just days after general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah expressed contentment with McCarthy over Rodgers, Samuel Jr., a cornerback, entered the rumor mill.
And it happened via a game of telephone.
A Sketchy Rumor from SKOR North
SKOR North features a segment on its Minnesota sports show called “Reckless Speculation,” a title that gives its hosts clearance to say anything, no matter how outlandish.
Last week, the speculation lassoed Samuel Jr., citing an anonymous tip from someone’s neighbor at a nightclub. Yes, one of those.
“I was always a bit hesitant to wade too far into the waters of reckless speculation. However, earlier this morning – it’s a couple days ago – I received quite an interesting call from my neighbor. He had just received a text message from his daughter, who is currently in Fort Lauderdale on spring break. She was with friends at the SWAY Nightclub,” Phil Mackey relayed the message.
“She noticed a young man in a Vikings cap with an entourage around him. She’s a big football fan and made her way toward him and asked if he played for the Vikings. He kinda smiled and said, ‘It won’t be official for about five weeks, but yes.'”
The suspense peaked when Mackey delivered the punchline.
“So, she then asked for his name and he introduced himself as ‘Asante.'”
And that’s it. There’s no other credible substantiation from national reporters. Nothing. Just a neighbor at a nightclub.
Asante Samuel Jr. Biography
Samuel Jr. is 25 years old, scooped from Round 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, the same day Minnesota found Kellen Mond four years ago. He curiously hasn’t signed anywhere in the NFL despite three full weeks of free agency, and if there’s any credence to the SKOR North rumor, it might be that his free-agent inactivity, indeed, is a bit weird.
Here’s Samuel Jr.’s Pro Football Focus resume to date:
- 2024: 59.3
- 2023: 73.9
- 2022: 72.6
- 2021: 56.4
And his passer rating against:
- 2024: 96.8
- 2023: 95.3
- 2022: 87.4
- 2021: 89.6
Samuel Jr. missed about three-fourths of the 2024 season, his fourth NFL campaign, due to a shoulder injury.
Vikings 2025 Cornerbacks
As it stands and without Samuel Jr., these are the Vikings’ cornerbacks under contract in 2025:
- CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
- CB2: Mekhi Blackmon
- CB3: Isaiah Rodgers
- CB4: Jeff Okudah
- CB5: Dwight McGlothern
- CB6: Tavierre Thomas
- CB7: NaJee Thompson
- CB8: Nahshon Wright
- CB9: Ambry Thomas
- CB10: Reddy Steward
- CB11: Kahlef Hailassie
If the nightclub rumor somehow came to fruition, Samuel Jr. would slide onto the depth chart as CB2 behind Murphy Jr.
Draft Options at CB
Minnesota could also shop for corners in April’s draft, either choosing one at pick No. 24 or trading back into Round 2. These men are considered viable CB options with the draft 3.5 weeks away:
- Trey Amos (Ole Miss)
- Jahdae Barron (Texas)
- Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)
- Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina)
- Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State)
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently wrote about Samuel Jr.’s lingering free agency: “Unlike many of the other players in this conversation, Samuel is only 25 years old and entering the prime of his career. He wasn’t spectacular during his time with the Chargers, but we didn’t get to see him play much for new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter before the injury.
“Samuel had spent the entirety of his career up to that point under Brandon Staley, and it’s possible he could look better in a different defense.”
The young defender will turn 26 in October.
“His medicals will play a big role in determining how comfortable organizations are with investing in the former second-round pick, but given his abbreviated 2024 campaign, I would expect him to sign a one-year deal with the hopes of reestablishing his health and cashing in after a complete season next spring,” Barnwell added.
And if you believe heresay rumors, Samuel Jr. might end up in purple.
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 Vikings 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.
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