Vikings Sign First New Player of Offseason
The Minnesota Vikings’ offseason arrived too soon, as most fans expected at least one playoff win after a pretty fabulous regular season.
Vikings Sign First New Player of Offseason
No cigar.
So, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah got back to work on Tuesday, signing rookie cornerback Reddy Steward to a futures contract. He’ll be a part of the 2025 Vikings 90-man roster.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted Tuesday, “Former Bears corner Reddy Steward is signing a futures contract with Vikings after being pursued by numerous teams around NFL per a league source KPRC2.”
Steward was a bit of a preseason folk hero in Chicago, logging 2 interceptions in a game and a forced fumble during the regular season. The Vikings have a reputation for plucking undrafted free agents out of the woodwork, so fans will monitor Steward intently.
With Steward in the house, these are the Vikings cornerbacks on the books for 2025:
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Dwight McGlothern
- NaJee Thompson
- Reddy Steward
Yikes, huh?
Steward played college ball at Troy from 2019 to 2023 and went undrafted last April. The Bears grabbed him from the UDFA wire shortly after, where he remained until the end of the regular season. He evidently wanted to try on a Bears’ rival for size. Steward earned 1st-Team All-Sun Belt twice in college.
The younger defender debuted in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals, tallying 18 defensive snaps. He forced a fumble on fellow rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. and won Bears fans’ hearts all over again. Here’s that transaction:
And his pick-six from the preseason:
Steward said before the draft last year via The Draft Network, “I feel like I can address multiple needs for a team through my versatility. My work ethic speaks for itself. Coming from Troy, I’m used to playing with a chip on my shoulder. I’ve had to earn everything I have.”
The Vikings’ defense ranked second leaguewide per EPA/Play this season but will undoubtedly need cornerback help from free agency or the draft.
“I just want to prove myself against the best talent at the highest level. I’m looking for an opportunity to showcase my abilities on the field. Work ethic and football IQ will take me a long way. Every team would benefit from adding a guy like that,” Steward added.
That last time Minnesota signed a former Bears CB, it worked out pretty well for a year. His name was Duke Shelley.
Steward will turn 24 in May.
Vikings Have a “Secret Superstar”
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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