Five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro selection Stephon Gilmore has been a free agent since the start of the new league year, but he has finally found a new home in the NFL.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gilmore and the Minnesota Vikings have reportedly agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $10 million with $7 million guaranteed.
The Vikings are in need of cornerback reinforcements heading into this season, and Gilmore is the team’s fifth acquisition this offseason after injuries at the position during training camp and the tragic death of Oregon State draft pick Kyrie Jackson.
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Dallas Cowboys’ Stephon Gilmore during the team’s wild-card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium on Jan. 14, 2024 in Dallas. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
Minnesota now brings in Gilmore, who is close with defensive coordinator Brian Flores after the two worked together for two seasons with the New England Patriots, including 2018 when Flores was running the Patriots defense.
That year, Gilmore received his first All-Pro honors.
Many wondered why Gilmore remained on the free agent list with preseason games well underway. He had a solid season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, recording 68 tackles, two interceptions and 13 passes defensed in his 12th year in the NFL.
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With him turning 34 next month and scheduled to undergo offseason labrum surgery, the team may not want to risk wear and tear catching up with the starting cornerback.
But Gilmore visited the Vikings on Monday and head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke of the respect he has for the cornerback who could potentially make the Vikings roster.
“He’s a guy that’s been performing at a really high level for a long time,” O’Connell said.
The Vikings have Shaquill Griffin and Byron Murphy Jr. on their roster, but with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers both having great passing attacks in the NFC North, it’s unclear how deep the Vikings will be in 2024. The Chicago Bears are expected to make a breakthrough this season with No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams and a revamped offensive line.
The Vikings have curated a young group that includes Akaileb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., Mekhi Blackmon and Jackson.
Stephon Gilmore of the Dallas Cowboys during a game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
Jackson’s death in a car accident on July 6 shocked the team, which plans to honor him this season with a special helmet sticker.
Blackmon then tore his ACL on the first day of training camp, and Griffin has been dealing with a hamstring injury since Day 2. Booth was eventually traded to the Cowboys on Aug. 9, leaving a hole in the Vikings’ secondary.
Gilmore is looking to not only fill that void but also stay at the top of the depth chart as he has done in the past, and he will be competing with other veteran additions to the team, including Fabian Moreau, Duke Shelley and Jakobi Francis.
But given the guaranteed amount Minnesota will be paying him, it’s clear that Gilmore is expected to be the team’s top cornerback this season.
Gilmore was relied on heavily by Dallas last season after Trevon Diggs suffered a season-ending injury and quickly proved why he has received so much praise during his illustrious career.
Stephon Gilmore of the Dallas Cowboys warms up before a game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on January 7, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Kara Durrett/Getty Images)
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The Vikings have struggled to find a suitable reserve player capable of competing against a tough 2024 schedule and will be hoping he can do the same for the team.
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