Veteran DB Stephon Gilmore Reportedly Entertaining Reunion with Former Team Amid Vikings Uncertainty
With the NFL Draft just days away, the Minnesota Vikings appear well-positioned after a busy and aggressive free agency period led by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Armed with ample cap space, the front office made several bold moves to strengthen the roster. However, one area still in need of reinforcements is the cornerback position—especially if Minnesota wants to field a playoff-caliber defense in 2025.
Currently, Byron Murphy Jr. sits atop the depth chart at CB1, having recently inked a new deal that signals his role as the team’s top corner. Behind him is Isaiah Rodgers, a free-agent addition from Philadelphia who’s being paid like a fringe starter. Despite showing flashes, Rodgers has never cemented himself as a full-time starter in his NFL career.
Beyond Murphy and Rodgers, the Vikings’ cornerback room consists of Mekhi Blackmon—still recovering from ACL surgery—and a mix of depth players like Jeff Okudah, Ambry Thomas, Dwight McGlothern, and Bubba Bolden. While some fans and analysts believe this group could hold its own, it’s widely expected that Minnesota will continue seeking additional help at the position between now and the end of training camp.
That brings us to Stephon Gilmore—a name that continues to swirl in the Vikings’ rumor mill.
The 34-year-old veteran was a key part of Minnesota’s defense last season, bringing leadership and savvy play to the secondary. However, Gilmore remains unsigned, and while a return to the Vikings isn’t off the table, he’s reportedly exploring other options. Most notably, there’s been buzz about a possible reunion with one of his former teams: the Dallas Cowboys.
Gilmore spent the 2022 season with the Cowboys, where he made a strong impression, and it appears Dallas could be interested in bringing him back as they retool their own secondary. Given his 13-year NFL journey that has included stints with six different franchises, Gilmore’s experience and versatility remain attractive qualities for contenders seeking stability in the backfield.
The Vikings, meanwhile, remain in a holding pattern—hoping to either strike a deal with a proven veteran like Gilmore or potentially address the cornerback need in the early rounds of the draft. One thing’s clear: Minnesota isn’t done building just yet, and the secondary could be the next area to get a serious upgrade.
