The process of building an NFL roster is neverending. Just when it seems a well-conceived plan is being executed, adversity can strike, and the course must be altered.
This is exactly what happened to the Minnesota Vikings and their cornerback room.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah went the organic route with his defensive backs, relying on the NFL Draft and player development as the primary means to creating a room with ascending players learning under a dynamic defensive mind and teacher in Brian Flores.
But then everything changed.
Timeline of the Minnesota Vikings Revamping Their Secondary
Tragedy struck the NFL world on July 6 when Minnesota’s fourth-round cornerback Khyree Jackson, just 24 years old, lost his life in a car accident.
On a human level, the loss of Jackson is not something that can be overcome.
From a football standpoint, his loss was significant because he was a key part of the Vikings’ efforts to rebuild the pass defense. Losing Jackson was the most profound and jarring, but not the only piece of adversity the team would endure.
On the first day of training camp, second-year cornerback Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL and was lost for the season. Then, during the next day of camp, free agent signing Shaquill Griffin sustained a soft-tissue injury to his lower body, and he still hasn’t returned.
Through the duration of these personnel losses, the Vikings were nimble.
Coaches and players already on the roster stepped up. Meanwhile, Adofo-Mensah and his personnel department continually scanned the market for help, signing four veterans between July 23 and July 31 in addition to acquiring Nahshon Wright from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.
The veterans signed by Minnesota in that span were Jacobi Francis, Bobby McCain, Fabian Moreau, and Duke Shelley (23 seasons of experience amongst them).
Due to factors outside their control, the Vikings drastically changed the composition of their cornerback room. The most profound move the team made, though, occurred this past Sunday when Stephon Gilmore was signed.
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Gilmore is a two-time All-Pro, a Super Bowl winner, and is familiar with Flores and his scheme from their two seasons together in New England.
Gilmore’s signing is the marquee transaction that symbolizes the shift from creating opportunity for young, developmental players to leaning on veterans to come in and solidify the position.
Why the Vikings Focused on Improving Their Secondary
One would be hard-pressed to find a division more packed with talent and intention in the passing game than the NFC North. From personnel changes leading up to the 2024 season to statistics and trends that are likely to continue from 2023, it’s a collection of offenses that seem poised to air it out.
This was clearly not lost on Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell. Thus, the aggressive approach Minnesota took to fortifying depth and talent at cornerback.
Chicago used the No. 1 overall pick on franchise quarterback Caleb Williams and then the No. 9 pick on wide receiver Rome Odunze. As if that’s not aggressive enough, consider the franchise traded for DJ Moore last year and for Keenan Allen this year.
Detroit just re-signed Jared Goff, doubling down on its commitment to him. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a top-tier pass catcher, and he’s paired with speedster Jameson Williams and star tight end Sam LaPorta.
Green Bay just made Jordan Love the highest-paid player in NFL history. He has three young, speedy receivers to target for the foreseeable future in Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Christian Watson.
In 2023, Detroit ranked second in passing yards with 4,401 and fourth in touchdown passes (Green Bay ranked third in TD passes). The Lions and Packers also ranked fifth and seventh in passer rating, respectively.
By any measure, the passing offenses were formidable a season ago. There’s no reason to think either Detroit or Green Bay’s passing offense will take a step back in 2024, and there’s every reason to think Chicago’s will take a giant leap forward given the personnel additions they made.
In Detroit, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is sufficiently motivated to orchestrate another gaudy season for Goff and Co. because he’ll be on the shortlist for any head coaching vacancies in the next hiring cycle.
It can be safely assumed Packers head coach Matt LaFleur will be eager to let his franchise quarterback spread his wings in Year 2 as a starter. In Chicago, Shane Waldron steps in as the new offensive coordinator, anxious to prove he’s the right man for the job.
That’s why the Vikings were wise to act as decisively as they did to shore up the cornerback group this summer. With the play-callers and playmakers in the NFC North, it’ll be all hands on deck in Minnesota’s secondary for 2024.
