Re-Signing a Practice Squad Guy Makes Sense for the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have addressed the pressing needs, and they have at least a serviceable option in place at every starting spot. Whether defensive backs Isaiah Rodgers and Theo Jackson are really up for the task remains to be seen, but they have both shown that they deserve a chance through their limited action.
Re-Signing a Practice Squad Guy Makes Sense for the Vikings
In the draft, the Vikings passed on cornerbacks and safeties entirely and didn’t even add a late-rounder. At cornerback, the club employs 11 guys, including some promising depth pieces like Dwight McGlothern.
Jackson’s safety position, meanwhile, doesn’t have much depth or promising young players who could step up.
At this point, the Vikings have six safeties under contract. Besides the starters Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, and presumed riser Jackson, the safety group has 2023 day-three pick Jay Ward, who has pretty much only been a special-teams guy.
Also on the team is free-agent addition Bubba Bolden, who will turn 26 in May and has yet to make his NFL debut, and spent last season in the UFL. Undrafted rookie Mishael Powell was added after the draft.
It looks like the Vikings feel good about Jackson being their third guy, but beyond that, having another experienced player would be nice.
Last year’s training camp pick-up, Bobby McCain, is still a free agent. The veteran safety has experience with defensive coordinator Brian Flores dating back to his Miami days and could once again provide depth. His contract expired, and he’s still available.
Last year, McCain appeared in three games, playing 40 snaps on defense and 27 on special teams while spending all season on the practice squad. He made four tackles. If re-signed, he could compete with Bolden and Powell and take that fifth safety spot, perhaps even while staying on the practice squad again.
McCain will turn 32 in August. Coming out of Memphis, he was a 2015 fifth-rounder by the Dolphins, just one pick ahead of Stefon Diggs.
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 in 2023 was underwhelming as he barely saw the field.
Throughout his career, the defensive back with safety and slot experience has played in 134 games (87 starts), collecting 11 interceptions and 398 tackles along the way. If depth is required, why not call a familiar face?
McCain is probably not the guy anyone wants to see play big snap numbers, but he has seen a thing or two and is familiar with the system and most teammates. He could likely be had for the veteran minimum, so there’s no real downside.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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