Unsung Defender Could Be on Vikings’ Free Agency List
A potential under-the-radar free agent fit for the Vikings’ secondary is already being floated in national analysis. PFF’s Mason Cameron recently pointed to Chiefs safety Bryan Cook as a logical schematic match for Brian Flores’ aggressive defense.
The Minnesota Vikings have to be smart this offseason after going on a spending spree a year ago. This time, the club’s cap crunch means the decision-makers have to use a scalpel rather than a chainsaw in free agency. They need to make a couple of smart acquisitions.
If Harrison Smith retires this offseason, the Vikings will need a replacement at safety. Even if the veteran returns for another go around, he’s 37 and his ability to play a full-time role for an entire season isn’t getting more likely as he’s aging.
Furthermore, the Vikings only have starter Joshua Metellus under contract, next to Jay Ward and Theo Jackson, who shared a safety spot in the 2025 season. Adding another established safety to the mix is reasonable to ease Brian Flores’ headache entering his fourth season in the Twin Cities with a secondary that still has question marks entering the offseason.
Cameron explained why Cook should be on Minnesota’s list: “Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme profiles as the perfect fit for a safety acquainted with another scheme that also deploys unique blitz packages in Steve Spagnuolo’s Chiefs defense.”
Flores has been a genius in using his safeties. He’s viewing his players as movable chess pieces and both Smith and Metellus have been beneficiaries of that, as they are more than “just” safeties. Under his watch, defensive backs turn into Swiss Army Knives, playing in the box and even lining up on the defensive line with ample blitz opportunities.
Cook seems to fit that bill.
Cameron added, “There are nuances to playing solid coverage behind an aggressive defensive front, and Bryan Cook showed he is well-equipped to handle the role this past season, earning an 80.3 PFF coverage grade when the defense blitzes. Grading out above the 90th percentile as both a safety and in the slot, Cook also possesses the versatility to be a central piece that allows Flores’ scheme to shine. His skill set is in a similar vein to that of the longtime veteran leader of the Vikings’ defense, and impending free agent, Harrison Smith.”
Cook, out of the University of Cincinnati, was a 2022 2nd-round pick by the Chiefs. In his first season, he was a special teamer and rotational piece under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. His role expanded over the next couple of seasons and he became a full-time player in 2024.
Not only has he been a solid football player, but he has also become the vocal leader of the Chiefs’ secondary, which is something the Vikings should aim for when replacing The Hitman.
Jesse Newell of The Athletic wrote last month, “Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton says he’s also relied on Cook for on-field feedback during defensive checks. There have even been times, in fact, when Bolton has called out one playcall, but Cook has spoken up to override him based on what he’s seeing from the offense.”
With Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones having nearly $80 million of the cap space assigned to them, the Chiefs aren’t in a great salary cap position and might not be able to keep all their in-house free agents. Cook should be expected to hit the open market, where he can chase a major paycheck.
His price tag could be comparable to Cam Bynum’s last year, who signed a four-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, paying him an annual salary of $15 million. That is not a cheap contract at all, but the Vikings need talent in the secondary after recent turnover and inconsistent development in the secondary.
Cook might not be a big name, but he’d still be a smart signing for Minnesota, as a versatile safety with valuable communication skills.
In 62 games (47 starts), Cook made 238 tackles, three interceptions, and one sack. He’s only 26.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.