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Former MN Vikings Cornerback No Longer an Option for 2025
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- Former MN Vikings Cornerback No Longer an Option for 2025
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
Over the offseason the Minnesota Vikings have done all sorts of construction to their roster. No group is more refurbished than inside the trenches, where recently extended general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah brought in five new starters between the offensive and defensive lines.
Now, with less than a month to go before the start of training camp, the Vikings are telling media members that they are happy with the roster, as is. But on paper, fans and reporters point to the cornerback room with skepticism.
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The only starting CB still on roster from 2024 is Byron Murphy Jr , who signed a massive new contract extension to come back. From there though, there are a ton of questions surrounding which other Vikings corners are capable of playing 500-1000 defensive snaps in 2025.
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Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
Because the two defensive backs who filled Minnesota's CB2 and CB3 roles in 2024 are no longer on the team. Stephon Gilmore , going on 35 years old early next season, remains a free agent.
While technically the Minnesota Vikings could still make Gilmore a training camp addition, just like last year, they've shown no interest in such a reunion, to this point. Another 2024 CB the Vikings haven't really seemed intrigued by the idea of bringing back, is Shaq Griffin .
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Shaq Griffin no longer an option for Minnesota Vikings
Meanwhile, the soon-to-be 30-year-old hasn't been waiting up for them, either. Instead, Griffin has been flirting heavily with the team that drafted him back in 2017, the Seattle Seahawks . And on Wednesday, they made their west coast reunion official. After one season as a Viking, Shaq Griffin will again be a Seahawk in 2025.
Veteran corner Shaq Griffin is signing a one-year, $3M deal with Seattle worth up to $4M, per source. Sides have been talking through offseason, now reach deal. https://t.co/M0Fj4mojHG
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 25, 2025
Last season, his eighth in the NFL , Griffin appeared in all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings, including three starts. Now, he'll head back to Seattle where his 2024 teammate Sam Darnold is waiting for him . As a Viking, Griffin snagged 2 interceptions, to go with 6 passes defensed, 41 total tackles and 1 TFL.
Griffin last played for the team that drafted him in the third round pick back in 2017. Seattle is where Shaq made his lone Pro Bowl (2019), too. The Seahawks finished second in the NFC West last season, but they're a much different team in 2025.
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Vikings could still use cornerback help… on paper
As of now, the Minnesota Vikings are set to lean heavily on newly acquired Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah , along with 2023 third round pick, Mekhi Blackmon , who spent 2024 recovering from major knee surgery. Of those CBs, Okudah is the only one with legitimate starting NFL experience… and we all know how that went.
Thus, it sure looks like the Vikings secondary could use at least one more starting-caliber veteran who can come in and compete near the top of the depth chart, immediately, much like Gilmore last season. But it doesn't matter what the depth chart looks like on paper, if Minnesota is really as confident in their new crop of CBs as they claim.
New Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy are already 'best friends' after just meeting this spring.
Rodgers will have a big role this fall.
I caught up with the DBs at mini camp this week: pic.twitter.com/SAKMJMRGEP— Ren Clayton (@Ren_Clayton) June 14, 2025
The MN Vikings weren't in on Jaire Alexander , and don't appear interested in Jalen Ramsey . There are still veteran options on the open market, and more will come through, as camp cuts commence. Will Kwesi & Co. pounce? We'll find out soon enough.
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