Vikings Finalize the Biggest Possible Splash
The Minnesota Vikings have entered training camp with some holes, especially in the secondary and across the defensive line. Those issues exploded, though, when sophomore Mekhi Blackmon suffered a season-ending knee injury. Shaquill Griffin hasn’t practiced in weeks, and none of the young cornerbacks have made any significant steps.
Vikings Finalize the Biggest Possible Splash
To combat those holes, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah keeps acquiring cornerbacks, starting with depth player Jacobi Francis to ensure having enough players for practice. Bobby McCain, a veteran safety, was signed, allowing sophomore safety Jay Ward to get snaps on the outside. Experienced defender Fabian Moreau completed the long list of arrivals until Andrew Booth Jr. was swapped for Cowboys defender Nahshon Wright.
While the front office hired enough bodies to compete, the talent level still leaves a lot to be desired.
On Sunday morning, however, Adofo-Mensah got it done, bringing the big fish to the Twin Cities. Stephon Gilmore, a two-time first-team All-Pro and 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, joined the club.
Adam Schefter broke the news on X: “ESPN sources: Five-time Pro-Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore has reached an agreement in principle on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million, including $7 million guaranteed with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal was negotiated and confirmed by Gilmore’s agent Jason Chayut of SPORTSTARSNYC.”
Gilmore visited the Vikings earlier this week, flying in on Sunday to meet with the staff on Monday. It took him a few days, but the veteran has chosen the Vikings.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said during his media availability a few days before the signing: “He was in for a visit, [we] had a great visit with him. Similar to some of the visits in years past, I would say it was really, really good dialogue amongst Stephon, myself, other coaches, and really getting to know him personally for me. [Brian Flores] obviously has a relationship with him from the past, and obviously, Daronte [Jones, DB coach] wanted to spend some time with him as well”
He added that the visit was a sneak peek for the defender to get an understanding of the great culture in the locker room the organization had built.
Opponents of the deal might cite Gilmore’s age (for good reason). He will turn 34 next month, which is ancient for a starting cornerback in the NFL. Asking whether he has lost a step is fair.
Proponents, meanwhile, would point to the 18 games he started last year in Dallas, a team with one of the elite defenses in the league. His Pro Football Focus statistics are promising.
Gilmore logged an above-average PFF grade of 71.2 in 18 starts with the Cowboys last season, playing on more than 1,000 defensive snaps. He, just like all Cowboys, had a bad game in the postseason against the Packers.
However, in his 17 regular season contests, according to PFF, Gilmore allowed 50 of 91 passes to be completed for 653 yards, four touchdowns, and two picks, resulting in a Desmond Ridder-like passer rating of 83.3.
Nobody should expect Gilmore to be the 2019 version of himself, but having a cornerback who can hold his own against NFL passing attacks is a step in the right direction. His veteran presence and talent will give the secondary an immediate boost.
He will enter the starting lineup with Byron Murphy Jr. and handle the outside duties on one side. Murphy, last year’s addition, will slide into the nickel spot occasionally, leaving one spot open for Moreau, Griffin, or Evans.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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
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