3 former Vikings the team should consider adding before the 2022 trade deadline

Trae Waynes – CB

Current Status: Free Agent

After getting released by the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this year, Trae Waynes has already unofficially retired from the NFL. But how many times have we seen players retire, only to return to the league within the next few months because they miss the game too much?

Waynes’ tenure with the Bengals certainly didn’t go as planned when they signed him to a three-year contract in 2020 worth $42 million. During his two seasons with Cincinnati, the former Vikings first-round pick only appeared in a total of nine games, including the playoffs.

Waynes was a solid corner during his five years with Minnesota, so we know what he’s capable of. Even if he were brought in to be the Vikings’ fourth or fifth cornerback on the depth chart, the team’s corner group can use whatever help it can get, as it has been pretty underwhelming this season.

All of this, of course, would depend on Waynes’ desire to play football again. Perhaps he truly is done with the sport. But there’s only one way to find out, and Minnesota should at least give their former cornerback a call to see if he’s interested in a return to the field.