The Minnesota Vikings are signing veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. The deal includes $7 million guaranteed for the longtime defensive star, giving him another chance to play in the NFL.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter had the details on the signing and the contract.
ESPN sources: Five-time Pro Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore has reached an agreement in principle with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year contract worth up to $10 million, including $7 million guaranteed.
The deal was negotiated and confirmed by Gilmore’s agent Jason Chayut. pic.twitter.com/WdTBLhXeu7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) 18 August 2024
This is some of the better news to come to the Vikings recently, as Minnesota has been plagued with injuries. Rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy is out for the rest of the season with a right knee injury, while other defensive players have been injured in training camp.
Gilmore will be reunited with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who coached him when the two played with the New England Patriots. The veteran cornerback played his first All-Pro season under Flores, so Minnesota hopes this reunion brings out the best in Gilmore.
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The five-time Pro Bowl defensive player had been waiting to sign with a team during the offseason. He underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum during the offseason, which may have made teams hesitant to sign him.
Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images
The veteran visited Minnesota earlier this week and both sides were impressed, with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell speaking about his respect for a player like Gilmore.
“I had a lot of respect for Stephon Gilmore’s career when I played against him. This is a guy who has been playing at a really high level for a long time.”
Gilmore is now becoming one of the leaders of the Minnesota secondary and performed very well last season. He spent the year with the Dallas Cowboys and helped them recover from the loss of star cornerback Trevon Diggs.
He totaled 68 tackles and two interceptions with the Cowboys. His experience helped Dallas gain some prominence, and he hopes to do the same with the Vikings.
Minnesota lost cornerback Mekhi Blackmon to a torn ACL in the offseason, so Gilmore should be able to play for minutes. He can help the Vikings offset the loss of Blackmon, and both sides worked quickly to get this deal done.
The former South Carolina player will have some challenges ahead of him in the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions could all make the playoffs, meaning Gilmore will have to bring his best every time.
This is an excellent signing for the Vikings, especially this late in the offseason.
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