Xavier Rhodes might be heading back to the NFC in 2021
By Adam Patrick
After spending the first seven years of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, Xavier Rhodes was in a different uniform during the 2020 season.
Rhodes ended up spending the 2020 campaign as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. Following some uncharacteristic struggles with the Vikings in 2018 and 2019, the veteran cornerback turned things around during his first year with the Colts.
In 16 games with Indianapolis this past season, Rhodes finished with 42 tackles, 12 pass breakups, two interceptions, and one touchdown while also only allowing a 52.4 completion percentage and 84.6 passer rating on balls thrown in his direction.
Former Minnesota Vikings cornerback could return to the NFC next season
On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles officially agreed to a contract with former Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni to become the team’s new head coach. Sirianni has also convinced Jonathan Gannon to leave his role as the Indianapolis defensive backs coach and become the new Eagles defensive coordinator.
Gannon is someone who actually played a significant part in convincing Rhodes to sign with the Colts last year.
Gannon was actually a member of Minnesota’s coaching staff as their assistant defensive backs/quality control coach from 2014 to 2017. He helped transform the Vikings’ pass defense into one of the NFL’s best and Rhodes had the most impressive years of his pro career when Gannon was helping lead him in the right direction.
The former Minnesota cornerback is currently scheduled to be a free agent this offseason, so he could end up with another new team for the 2021 campaign. With how everything turned out after Rhodes joined Gannon and the Colts last year, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if the veteran corner wound up following his coach to Philadelphia.
Last season, the Eagles defense allowed the fifth-highest passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. So they will likely be looking for ways to improve their secondary this offseason and Rhodes is certainly someone they will probably consider.