Vikings add a potential starting cornerback to their 2021 roster
By Adam Patrick
The Minnesota Vikings announced on Friday that the team has agreed to a deal with former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland.
Last month, former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland was still without a team for the 2021 season. Interested in adding some more veteran experience to their secondary, the Minnesota Vikings convinced him to come to the Twin Cities for a visit.
Nothing was agreed to between Breeland and the Vikings shortly after their meeting and most assumed that the team would pursue other free-agent corners to possibly add to their roster.
But then Friday happened and Minnesota announced that Breeland will be suiting up for them during the upcoming season.
Minnesota Vikings add even more defensive experience with Bashaud Breeland
Some would argue that the Vikings didn’t even need to sign Breeland this year. But everyone knows how Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer loves to say he can never have enough corners, and this would just be another example of his philosophy.
The Vikings gave Breeland a one-year deal that can reportedly pay him up to $4 million according to the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson. By giving him that kind of money, Minnesota isn’t bringing him in to sit on the bench.
Breeland has the ability to line up on the outside or in the slot. Tomasson also reported that the Vikings’ newest cornerback is expecting to compete for a starting job this year.
A season after having one of the most inexperienced secondaries in the NFL, the Vikings’ defensive backfield will now feature a number of established veterans, including Breeland, Harrison Smith, Patrick Peterson, Mackensie Alexander, and Xavier Woods.
Zimmer knows his job could potentially be on the line next season and if he’s going to go, he’s going to go down swinging with as many cornerbacks as possible on his roster.