The Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, received plenty of criticism last year. The defense struggled (23rd) and only showed slight improvement from the year before (27th). He, however, restored his reputation in 2024 with a Super Bowl-caliber unit that ranked third in PFSN’s Defense+ metric.
However, repeating the feat this upcoming season “could be a tall order” for Flores and the Vikings, argues PFSN’s Brandon Austin. The Vikings lost safety Camryn Bynum and cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin this offseason. Austin believes re-signing one of these two corners could help Minnesota get closer to its 2024 form.
Minnesota Vikings Predicted To Reunite With Five-Time Pro Bowl Corner
In his latest one free agent each team can sign article, Austin named Gilmore as the best reunion fit for the Vikings.
“Replicating last year’s third-place finish in Defense+ could be a tall order for Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings’ defense,” Austin wrote. “Despite re-signing Byron Murphy Jr. to a sizable deal, the secondary still looks a bit shaky. With no cornerbacks added in the draft, Isaiah Rodgers and Mekhi Blackmon are currently projected to start on the outside, which would be a step down from last season on paper.”
Both Gilmore and Griffin were a vital part of the Vikings’ defense last season, with the former racking up 56 tackles while the latter did 41. However, Austin believes Gilmore, though older, would be a better choice and would give Minnesota a solid depth piece in the secondary.
“With Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin gone, the Vikings should look to reassemble part of last year’s cornerback group,” Austin added. “Gilmore is the more appealing option of the two, although he’s approaching 35 years old. He continues to prove that there’s more juice left in the tank.
“Even with age becoming a factor, Gilmore remains effective. He allowed just 7.1 yards per target on 84 passes thrown his way in 2024 and missed only three tackles, his lowest total since 2021. Signing him would not block the development of Blackmon, but it would give Minnesota a stabilizing presence and valuable depth in a secondary that still feels incomplete.”
Gilmore, a two-time All-Pro who was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, has 15 or more games in each of the last three seasons and, in 2023, was an impact player for the Dallas Cowboys with 13 pass breakups and two interceptions. He immediately upgraded the Vikings’ cornerback room when he arrived in August last year and will most certainly do the same this season.
Stephon Gilmore’s 2019 DPOY season:
16 Games
79 Targets
32 Receptions
40% Completion
402 Yards
0 Touchdowns allowed
6 INT
2 Pick-6’s
20 PBU
25.04 Passer Rating pic.twitter.com/uTSAMrpONx— Boston Cream 🍩 (@itsbostoncream) March 30, 2025
Gilmore’s reunion with Flores, who was a coach on Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots teams when Gilmore played there, should give the Vikings better chances of replicating last year’s defensive success.