Bashaud Breeland Proves That Nothing Can Be Normal for the Vikings
Josh Frey
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Following the Vikings Saturday practice ahead of Monday night’s matchup with the Chicago Bears, news broke that Bashaud Breeland had been cut from the team. Per reports, he got in an altercation with multiple teammates and coaches, leading to his release.
Once again, an unusual situation for an unusual Minnesota Vikings season. This was finally a week where things seemed to be improving for this team, even amongst an NFL world that has been ravaged by COVID-19 cases. Especially on defense, they needed to get everyone back after some short-handed performances.
Breeland is a guy that could not afford any more mistakes on or off the field, and this was just too much. even at full health, has been a weak group. Breeland had started all of Minnesota’s first 13 games, and played every defensive snap in five of those games, per Pro-Football-Reference. He played a massive role in the Vikings defense, but often, that ended up being for the worse. For large chunks of the season he was the lowest graded PFF cornerback, and as of Week 15, he ranked 119 out of 121 at 47.2. His six touchdowns allowed are tied for the most in his career as well.
With Bashaud Breeland gone, it looks like that starting spot will be given to Cam Dantzler. The sophmore had a standout rookie season amidst a terrible Vikings defense, but this year has been far different. He has taken snaps in place of Patrick Peterson through his missed time due to Covid, but Dantzler also was a healthy scratch in Week 1. Maybe some more consistent playing time will be good for him to regain some rhythm and confidence. Overall though, it’s become clear that between antics from both Kris Boyd and Bashaud Breeland on the field and even in the Twitter-verse, this unit has been a dysfunctional mess in 2021.