Stephon Gilmore Signs with Vikings Ahead of 2024 Regular Season

   

Dallas Cowboys, Stephon Gilmore, Minnesota Vikings

Stephon Gilmore has been one of the top veteran cornerbacks in the entire sport and has officially found a home for the 2024 season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Stephon Gilmore has agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with $7 million guaranteed to join the Minnesota Vikings.

Back in May, NFL insider Josina Anderson reported in a conversation with Gilmore that he still wanted to play in the 2024 season and that he wanted to play for the right opportunity. He shown the ability to be dominant as he was named the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler. Stephon Gilmore played last season with the Dallas Cowboys and started all 17 games as he recorded a pair of interceptions, a forced fumble and 13 pass deflections.

This is something that should help the Minnesota Vikings’ secondary as they have Shaq Griffin and Byron Murphy Jr. as starting cornerbacks ahead of this deal. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores now has a veteran star who can help the rest of the defense as well as play at a solid level. With the sudden and shocking death of rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson in July, this move gives the Vikings some more depth at the cornerback position.

One thing that is going to be interesting to follow is that Stephon Gilmore is going to be 34 years old in September and underwent surgery in the offseason to repair a torn labrum.

What does adding Stephon Gilmore mean for the Minnesota Vikings?

Detroit Lions, Stephon Gilmore, Indianapolis Colts Dallas Cowboys
October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings have added a solid player to their roster and after seeing rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy suffer a torn meniscus and will miss the entire 2024 season. We discussed earlier how the Vikings secondary needed some help and now they are getting it with Gilmore.

The Vikings are going to be in an interesting position as they have a good defensive team. Expect him to improve the team’s defense and make the NFC North a bit more intriguing at the very least.