Vikings Put Chef’s Kiss on Roster with Super Bowl Champ

For the second straight season, Minnesota Vikings fans clamored for a certain roster addition late in the summer that eventually came to fruition.

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with cornerback Stephon Gilmore on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million, including $7 million guaranteed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning.

Gilmore, 33, is a five-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl in 2018 with the New England Patriots. He started all 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys last year, recording a phenomenal 74.4 Pro Football Focus grade.

Adding Gilmore instantly tames folks’ fears about Minnesota’s cornerback room. The group was hit hard by tragedy and turmoil last month with Khyree Jackson’s tragic passing and Mekhi Blackmon’s torn ACL. Now, however, the CB branch of Brian Flores’ defense feels more trustworthy.

Here are the Vikings’ corners after the Gilmore addition:

Gilmore, Murphy, Griffin, Moreau, Evans, Shelley, Francis, McCain, Wright

For context, Minnesota will likely retain about 5-6 corners for the 53-man roster, which will be determined in nine days.

Gilmore played for the Patriots from 2017 to 2020, crossing paths with the aforementioned Flores in 2017 and 2018. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl in 2018 with Flores and the Tom Brady-led Patriots.

Gilmore started all 17 games for last year’s Cowboys, recording a phenomenal 74.4 Pro Football Focus grade. He registered for a terrific 82.7 passer-rating-against in 2023, which would’ve been terrific by Vikings cornerbacks’ standards.

Although he’ll turn 34 in September, Gilmore shouldn’t be considered “one of those guys” who is washed or a token signing at an advanced NFL age. He’s still quite productive — so much so that he could be Minnesota’s best CB.

The Vikings have added six defensive backs in the last 25 days: Shelley, Francis, Bobby McCain, Fabian Moreau, Nahshon Wright, and now Gilmore. Most expect Minnesota to roll into Week 1 of the regular season on September 8th with a CB room consisting of Gilmore, Murphy, Griffin, Moreau, and Evans.

If general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is interested in any more free agents following the Gilmore move, about 700 players will hit open free agency on August 27th after roster cuts.

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