The Minnesota Vikings have made a significant addition to their defensive backfield, signing former New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a one-year contract. The move is expected to bolster the Vikings’ secondary, which has struggled in recent seasons.
Stephon Gilmore, a former Defensive Player of the Year and two-time Super Bowl champion, brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Vikings. The 31-year-old cornerback has been one of the NFL’s top defensive backs over the past few years, earning five Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro nods in his nine-year career.
Gilmore spent the last four seasons with the Patriots, where he established himself as one of the league’s premier cornerbacks. In 2019, he led the NFL with six interceptions and was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first cornerback to win the award since Charles Woodson in 2009.
Despite battling a quad injury that limited him to just 11 games last season, Gilmore still managed to make an impact when on the field. He finished the year with one interception and three pass breakups, and his presence alone often deterred quarterbacks from throwing in his direction.
The signing of Gilmore is a major coup for the Vikings, who have been looking to upgrade their secondary this offseason. Minnesota ranked 25th in pass defense last season, allowing an average of 258.8 yards per game through the air.
With Gilmore in the fold, the Vikings now boast a formidable cornerback duo alongside Patrick Peterson, another veteran Pro Bowler who signed with Minnesota this offseason. The pair should provide a significant boost to the Vikings’ pass defense and could form one of the best cornerback tandems in the league.
The addition of Gilmore also provides a veteran presence in a relatively young secondary. His experience and leadership should prove invaluable for younger players like Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney, who are still developing.
The terms of Gilmore’s contract with the Vikings have not been disclosed, but it’s a one-year deal that gives him the opportunity to prove he’s still one of the league’s top cornerbacks after his injury-plagued 2020 season.
In signing Gilmore, the Vikings have shown a commitment to improving their defense, which was a major weak point last season. With a revamped secondary featuring two of the league’s top cornerbacks, Minnesota will be hoping for a significant turnaround in 2021.
Gilmore’s addition to the Vikings is a clear indication of the team’s intent to compete in the upcoming season. With a bolstered defense and a potent offense led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Vikings could be a team to watch out for in the NFC.