Minnesota Vikings Reinforce Depleted Secondary, Signing Former 2019 Pro Bowl Cornerback

Katie Stratman-

Minnesota Vikings Sign Former 2019 Pro Bowl Cornerback to Strengthen Depleted Secondary
Published on Gridiron Heroics originally | Written by Daniel Arwas | Updated on 3/19/24

The Minnesota Vikings still lack talent at all three levels of their defense, despite encouraging progress made during the 2023 season by new defensive coordinator and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores.

Especially shocking is their total lack of talent in the secondary, where an inexperienced collection of former mid-round draft selections, led by the aging Harrison Smith, is led by Byron Murphy Jr., the only corner who is even slightly well regarded.

Minnesota Vikings brass is seeking assistance with the defense’s back end.

Consequently, head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo Mensah realized that the Vikings needed reinforcements if they were to have any chance of competing in the increasingly tough NFC North.

In light of this and the fact that the first two tiers of the defense were the emphasis of previous free agency additions, according to Jordan Schultz, Minnesota has finally added a corner with starting experience.

Breaking: Sources say @BleacherReport that free agent wide receiver Shaq Griffin will sign a one-year contract for up to $6 million with the Vikings.pic.twitter.com/Mup4d6LFkY

— March 19, 2024, Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report)

Shaquill Griffin Offering Assistance To A Vague Vikings Secondary

Shaquill Griffin’s career has been an extreme roller coaster since he was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2019.

In March 2021, he signed a lucrative three-year deal for $44.5 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, he failed to live up to the expectations of his contract, and two years later, in March 2023, he was released.

After being selected by the Houston Texans later in the off-season, he was released late in the season and signed by the Carolina Panthers since he once again failed to impress them enough to be retained around.

Now that he’s signed with the Minnesota Vikings, the issue is which Shaq Griffin the team will get: the starting quarterback who can go to the Pro Bowl or the backup who was cut by the Jaguars or Texans?