Vikings Acquire One of Brian Flores’ Old Friends
It’s been an eventful first week of training camp. On the one hand, rookies J.J. McCarthy, Dallas Turner, and Will Reichard have shown enormous potential. On the other hand, the cornerback injuries have overshadowed their performances to some extent. But a new reinforcement is on the way.
Vikings Acquire One of Brian Flores’ Old Friends
Sophomore Mekhi Blackmon suffered a torn ACL in the first practice session of the season. He was viewed as a potential breakout player, but that dream ended abruptly. Shaquill Griffin suffered a minor injury but has been sidelined since and could be out for a few more days. Those two losses are in addition to the tragic Khyree Jackson accident a few weeks ago.
Kevin O’Connell teased the arrival of a new defender on Saturday, stating that the Vikings need another body to get through training camp: “I do think we’re probably going to need to add at that position to make sure that we’ve got enough of a head count in that room to handle the rep load. But at the same time, there could be some impact players out there that might be interested in joining our team and that’s what Kwesi and his staff are working through right now.”
That impact player has not arrived. However, the team added journeyman safety/cornerback Bobby McCain, who has ties with defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
The Vikings announced the move on their website: “The Vikings have added to their defensive backs room again. Minnesota on Monday signed defensive back Bobby McCain after he worked out Sunday, a day off for players at Vikings Training Camp. To make room for McCain, Minnesota waived kicker John Parker Romo, who had joined the team during free agency before the Vikings drafted kicker Will Reichard.”
John Parker Romo’s departure was expected after he released a farewell post two hours before his exit became official. It will be rookie sixth-rounder Will Reichard handling the kicking duties this season.
McCain has a lot of experience in the NFL. The University of Memphis alumnus arrived in the league in 2015 as a fifth-round selection. He was chosen by the Miami Dolphins.
After providing depth as a backup in his debut season, McCain earned a starting job as Miami’s slot cornerback in 2016, and he kept a starting job throughout 2020 when Flores called the shots in South Florida.
In 2021, he left in free agency and signed with Washington, where he stayed for two campaigns until the franchise released him in 2023. The one-year stint with the New York Giants was underwhelming as he barely saw the field.
McCain has played 131 games in the NFL and started 87. During his nine-year NFL career, the defensive back has tabulated 394 tackles, 11 interceptions, and four sacks.
He was one of the most consistently average players per Pro Football Focus grades:
- 2015: 60.5 (71st of 112 eligible CBs)
- 2016: 61.9 (75th/112)
- 2017: 76.4 (29th/120)
- 2018: 57.9 (100th/112)
- 2019: 63.6 (55th/83)
- 2020: 62.1 (55th/94)
- 2021: 70.9 (26th/92)
- 2022: 61.4 (61st/88)
His 49.0 in 2023 can barely be counted, as he only logged 19 snaps on defense.
While he used to play in the slot earlier in his career, since Flores’ arrival in Miami, he has primarily played as a free safety. The Vikings have enough safeties, including depth, but he could be an asset in the slot again. It remains to be seen how much of his athleticism is still left at age 30, as slot defenders need elite quickness.
Blackmon was a serious competitor to be the team’s top slot player, especially when Byron Murphy was needed on the outside. McCain could fill that role.
More cornerback help could follow within the next few days or weeks.
McCain will turn 31 in August.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt