3 former Vikings we’ll be glad are gone, and 2 we’ll wish stayed in 2023

Cameron Dantzler – CB

New Team: Washington Commanders

At first, it seemed like the Vikings had landed a draft steal in cornerback Cameron Dantzler. As a rookie, Dantzler had a very impressive showing during his first training camp with Minnesota, and it ultimately resulted in him being named a Week 1 starter.

But when it came time to play in the actual games during his career with the Vikings, Dantzler’s performance never resembled what he did as a rookie during the team’s 2020 training camp.

On paper, the former Mississippi State corner typically finished each of his seasons in the NFL with respectable coverage stats and PFF grades.

Where Dantzler struggled was during some of the most critical times of a game when the pressure was at its highest. The veteran defensive back crumbled under pressure more often than not during his time in a Minnesota uniform (see 2020 vs. Seattle and 2021 vs. Detroit).

Dantzler still had one year left on his contract with the Vikings at the end of the 2022 season, but the team decided the time was now to move on from the cornerback, and he was waived earlier this year. His mistakes in moments where he’s needed the most won’t be missed.