James Pierre Was a ‘Closer’ in 2025
The Minnesota Vikings signed CB James Pierre earlier this offseason. The agreement between the two is for 2-year/$8.5 million with a $2.5 million signing bonus and a cool $3.7 million guaranteed.
Minnesota was struggling on paper with their corner depth before the signing. Going into the 2026 offseason, the only two notable Vikings on the roster were Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers Sr. The Vikings said goodbye to Fabian Moreau and Jeff Okudah in March, at least for now. This left their two top guys, as well as UDFAs such as Dwight McGlothern and Zemaiah Vaughn.
Pierre brings a physical brand to the team, one that Brian Flores will surely love. Not only that, but per Pro Football Focus, the guy was a closer.
James Pierre Was Clutch for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025
Pro Football Focus recently released a list of 10 gentlemen who graded out the highest in the NFL in 2025 during the fourth quarter and overtime. James Pierre came in 2nd on that list with a 91.4 grade, behind only Joey Bosa with a 91.8 grade.
They provided a summary of Pierre’s late-game heroics in the Steel City:
Across 79 fourth-quarter coverage snaps, Pierre allowed just two receptions for 19 yards. He also recorded six of his nine pass breakups during fourth quarters. His fourth-quarter PFF coverage grade of 91.3 ranked first in the NFL and likely would have been even higher had he managed to keep both feet in bounds on a near interception against his current team, the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 4.
PFF’s Daire Carragher on James Pierre in crunch time in 2025
Carragher also named some of the wideouts that James Pierre was lined up against during these clutch moments. Pierre allowed zero receptions to said receivers:
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Tee Higgins
- Michael Pittman Jr.
- Jerry Jeudy
Quite an impressive list of gentlemen to completely shut down when the defense needed it most. James Pierre now joins a defense that absolutely shutdown opposing passing games in 2025.
The Vikings did lose Daronte Jones to the Washington Commanders for a promotion to defensive coordinator, but Brian Flores is still a Viking. In 2025, the Vikings had a very impressive pass defense with a CB room of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers Sr., Fabian Moreau, and some light Jeff Okudah work.
Are the Vikings Done Adding Cornerbacks After James Pierre Addition?
The Vikings now sport a decent top-three cornerback group.
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers Sr.
- James Pierre
Minnesota also drafted Stephen F. Austin standout CB Charles Demmings. While he is more likely a long-term project, there is a small chance that he could produce in his first season. Even with their current and long-term prospects, the Vikings may still look to add some further CB depth.
A name to keep an eye on is the aforementioned Fabian Moreau. Moreau was quite the solid corner for Minnesota in 2025.
Unless the Vikings have evidence to believe in an emergence for Dwight McGlothern, it may be wise for them to look to bring back Moreau. While James Pierre presumably becomes the CB3, the room behind him is quite thin.
