The Minnesota Vikings are still looking to make adjustments to their roster even though the team is already one game deep in the preseason. One area where depth could be considered questionable is at cornerback.
The tragic death of Khyree Jackson and the season-ending injury to Mekhi Blackmon forced the Vikings to make several adjustments already. They signed former Minnesota cornerback Duke Shelley as well as Jacobi Francis and Fabian Moreau while swapping Andrew Booth Jr. for Nahshon Wright in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hasn't been afraid to make moves if he feels it will make the team better. Minnesota has an opportunity to add an accomplished cornerback to the team very soon if things go well.
Vikings workout with Stephon Gilmore reportedly 'really positive'
On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings met with free agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Pat McAfee talked about the visit with Adam Schefter where the feeling is that neither side would have this visit take place just to waste time.
"I don't think Stephon Gilmore is taking a visit to waste his time and the Vikings could use a player like him..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 12, 2024
The Vikings have been looking for help at the corner position all along" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/hf1bDo4Hgs
Meanwhile, ESPN's Kevin Siefert shared on X that head coach Kevin O'Connell described the visit between the Vikings and Gilmore as "really positive" despite no pen put to paper on Monday.
Vikings had a “really positive visit” with free agent CB Stephon Gilmore today, per Kevin O’Connell, but no immediate signing. Referred to the visit as a “sneak preview” of the culture that Gilmore would be joining if it works out.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 12, 2024
Minnesota Vikings fans will likely be glued to social media until more news regarding the outcome of Monday's visit with Stephon Gilmore is announced. Signing the veteran defender for at least the 2024 season would be a huge move for a team hoping to be competitive in a loaded division with a tough regular season schedule ahead of them.
There has been no news as to whether the prolific defensive back has any other visits lined up or left Minnesota following his visit with the Vikings. This leaves hope that some kind of deal can get done as soon as Tuesday, but there is no need to be upset that a contract wasn't signed during his initial meeting with the team.
Of course, the sooner that the Minnesota Vikings can get Stephon Gilmore in the locker room, the better. Getting him familiar with the scheme defensive coordinator Brian Flores is running as well as getting to know the tendencies of his teammates to build a rapport is essential with less than a month to go before the purple and gold kick off the regular season on Sept. 8 against the New York Giants.