As reported by KSTP’s Darren Wolfson on July 30, the Minnesota Vikings are expected to make a bigger move, with Stephon Gilmore among numerous names on the team’s radar, despite adding two defensive backs after cornerback Mekhi Blackmon’s season-ending knee injury.
Gilmore is still a free agent through the first week of the league training camps, despite having a successful comeback season with the Dallas Cowboys. The five-time Pro Bowl cornerback disclosed to the public that he is happy to hold out on signing a deal until the beginning of the campaign.
“I believe teams should sign the top players if they want to win. I am aware that in this league, I am still a rookie. Gilmore said to Josina Anderson on July 16th, “I started games last year, but the season doesn’t start until September, we got a while.”
Although Bobby McCain and Jacobi Francis, two defensive backs, have signed with the Vikings, neither one is vying for the starting job that Blackmon left open.
“I fully anticipate another move, a recognizable name coming in in the coming weeks,” Wolfson stated on the “Mackey and Judd” program broadcast on July 30 on SKOR North.
“I believe Gilmore is still maintaining his physical fitness. Now that he has his trainer, he is working. September will mark Gilmore’s 34th birthday. Having gone through it before, he knows how to prepare for a season. Thus, it would be acceptable if he signed in a few weeks, Wolfson continued. “I just firmly believe he is one of a few names on the Vikings’ radar; I’m not saying it will be him.”
Stephon Gilmore Establishes Himself as a Deserving Lead CB
In the latter stages of his career, Gilmore, who was once the 2018 Defensive Player of the Year on a New England Patriots team that won the Super Bowl, has moved across the league.
After departing New England in 2020, he has played on three different teams in the last three seasons. Gilmore last appeared in a Pro Bowl in 2021 while playing for the Carolina Panthers. He had trouble with the Indianapolis Colts, though, and was traded to the Cowboys in the offseason.
After being acquired for a fifth-round pick, Gilmore demonstrated his value by ranking among the top 30 cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus (PFF) in 2023. In addition, he has played more than 1,000 snaps in each of the last two seasons since his return from a torn quad in 2020.
Gilmore has been moving about for the past few years, but according to PFF’s free agency report, “his trade from the Indianapolis Colts to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason got him back to playing contending football, and he hasn’t skipped a beat at any point.” “Gilmore is still very effective in single coverage and has the physical receivers’ game to compete with. He can jump routes with top-end play recognition and time his leaps well on contested catches.”
Vikings Are Investigating a Number of Security at CB
The Vikings moved safety Jay Ward to cornerback during practice on July 29, covering their daily needs at cornerback while McCain is expected to play safety.
Francis was a safety for the Houston Texans during the regular season, but he hasn’t played a defensive snap. When he signed on July 25, his position was listed as cornerback.
Following Khyree Jackson’s untimely death and Najee Thompson’s placement on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for training camp, the cornerback room was severely lacking in depth.
Former second-round selection Andrew Booth Jr. has a chance to establish himself as a valuable member of the team. In lieu of Blackmon, Akayleb Evans—who was benched multiple times during the previous season—has been asked to stand up. Dwight McGlothern, an undrafted rookie cornerback, is a dark horse to finish in the top four on the depth chart. However, if no cornerback commands confidence in the starting lineup, a bigger move like acquiring Gilmore might be in the works.