Demoted Vikings Corner Gets Promoted, Silently Shuffled Up to 53-Man Roster
Demoted Vikings corner Dwight McGlothern is demoted no more. After all, the sophomore defensive back is back up on the 53-man roster.
The 2025 season has featured Minnesota walking along a tightrope. Most of the year has involved just four corners being available. CB1 Byron Murphy and CB2 Isaiah Rodgers have been the stalwarts. There has then been a shuffling between CB3 Jeff Okudah and CB3 Fabian Moreau; the former is on the IR due to concussion while the latter is now the third option at corner. Being toggled off and on — bumped up and down from the roster — has been McGlothern, affectionately known as “Nudie.”
Demoted Vikings Corner Back as the CB4
Consider the journey that Mr. McGlothern has been on in recent weeks:
- November 20th: McGlothern Waived
- November 22nd: McGlothern Signed to Practive Squad, Elevated to Game Roster
- November 29th: McGlothern Elevated
At first, there was a drop down from the full roster. There was then a spot on the practice squad before a temporary bump up. He then got bumped up again. As things stand currently, Minnesota’s official website lists McGlothern on the roster, suggesting that he’s fully back.
The question now become whether McGlothern will earn playing time.
He is one of the few youngsters working for defensive coordinator Brian Flores. At 23, Mr. McGlothern has potential, especially since he has a great build to play corner in the NFL. He could stand to add more muscle as a player who is just 185 pounds, but standing at 6’2″ is a good spot to be for a boundary corner.
The undrafted corner played for LSU and Arkansas before journeying to Minnesota. He did so after landing $30,000 in guaranteed cash to become a Vikings employee.
For a decent stretch of time, Dwight McGlolthern has been inspiring intrigue in the Twin Cities. After all, there’s the youth and the size alongside being kept on the final roster for consecutive seasons. The rookie year didn’t feature much time on the field, but he was buried behind established veterans in Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin (alongside Murphy and Moreau, who were also patrolling the skies in 2024).
The sophomore version of McGlothern saw hurdles cleared out. Gilmore and Griffen were gone. And while Murphy and Rodgers possess promise, seeing just Okudah ahead of McGlothern led many to believe that the time was now for the UDFA talent.
Instead, Mr. Moreau — a quietly competent veteran who functions as a low-maintenance CB3 — is the option to get onto the field. Should that change?
The 2025 season has seen McGlothern jump onto the field for just 31 snaps. He has added 16 special teams snaps, but he’s not employed due to his capacity to help Matt Daniels. Rather, the potential to unlock someone for defense appears to be the hope.
Accordingly, the status of Dwight McGlothern as being fully back within the Vikings’ roster orbit is good news for those who are looking ahead to 2026. For the remainder of 2025, the corner should get onto the field, allowed to work through whatever flaws and foibles may manifest. Opportunities are dwindling with just five games remaining; give the young fella a chance to show what he can do.
On Sunday, December 7th, the Vikings will host the Commanders inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
