The Latest Vikings Rumors: Brian Flores Drama, QB Plan Clarity, Stephon Gilmore
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up mandatory minicamp and organized team activities in the last couple of weeks, now on a break until training camp, which begins on July 26th.
Brian Flores’ future, the true QB plan, and a landing spot for cornerback Stephon Gilmore — here’s what’s cracking for Vikings rumors this week.
But the rumor mill never stops.
These are the Vikings rumors for July 22nd. You can read yesterday’s here.
What’s the Deal with Brian Flores Going Forward?
Rumor: Brian Flores may sign an extension before the start of 2025 — or he may let his contract expire so that he can focus on a head coaching job next February.
Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling, who is a credible source for all things Vikings, revealed on the Access Vikings Podcast this week, “Brian Flores is also in a contract year. There is, I think, interest in an extension from the team. I will be curious to see if Flores decides to sign something or if he tries to test the market because he was in those head coaching conversations last year with a couple of teams. I wonder how that’s going to go.”
The comment turned heads because Goessling didn’t make a contract extension sound too urgent or imminent.
This, indeed, may be Flores’ final season with the Vikings.
Rumor: The Vikings wanted Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones back in 2025 as insurance — not to start.
SI.com’s Albert Breer unpacked the Vikings’ quarterback strategy this offseason.
He noted, “That’s with a young core made up of Justin Jefferson, Christian Darrisaw, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Dallas Turner and, they hope, McCarthy. If Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones had come back (the Vikings tried on both), those would’ve been, essentially, one-year deals to give the team some insurance with a 14-win group returning.”
“The reason they didn’t go after Rodgers was that getting him, conversely, would’ve been hitting the pause button on making McCarthy their quarterback for a year. Which underscores the most important part of this — they won’t be asking the world of McCarthy. He can just go play quarterback, which is the way you usually see young guys at his position win.”
Some onlookers believed that Minnesota wanted Darnold or Jones back as the QB1 for 2025, but it seems that if one had been signed, that man would’ve been a QB2 behind McCarthy or at least part of a summer quarterback competition.
Rumor: Stephon Gilmore could end up with the Carolina Panthers.
Anthony Rizzuti of PanthersWire.com nominated six cornerbacks this week who could help Carolina’s defense in 2025, and along with ex-Viking Shaquill Griffin, Gilmore got the nod.
“Another old friend may be able to fill that outside corner role. And even at 34, Gilmore has shown that he still has the chops to do so,” Rizzuti wrote.
“The former Defensive Player of the Year and five-time Pro Bowler locked it down on that dominant Vikings defense in 2024. So after some chatter last offseason about a second return home, perhaps Carolina can convince the Rock Hill, S.C. native to come back and help lead a feel-good turnaround this time.”
On Griffin, Rizzuti wrote, “Like Rasul Douglas, Griffin also spent a little time with the Panthers. The former Pro Bowler played three games for Carolina in 2023, including one start. His most recent venture came in Minnesota, where he tallied two interceptions and three starts over 17 games.”
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox also recommended Gilmore for the Los Angeles Rams this week: “The Los Angeles Rams will largely run back the same roster that reached the divisional round last season. They worked out a revised contract with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and are not projected to have a slew of new starters in 2025. Defensively, Los Angeles needs to improve a pass defense that ranked 26th in net yards per pass attempt allowed last season.
“Signing a free-agent corner like Stephon Gilmore could make sense. The Rams have also expressed some interest in potentially reacquiring former starter Jalen Ramsey via trade.”
Gilmore may have a broader market than most think. He’s 34 and hasn’t retired this offseason. Perhaps he has one season left in the tank.
Sam Darnold Comes Clean about Vikings
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