Free-agent CB Stephon Gilmore signing with Vikings on one-year, $10 million deal

The 33-year-old Gilmore would’ve been an instant upgrade for just about any squad he signed with, but, as noted by NFL.com’s Kevin Patra, is a perfect fit for a Vikings secondary in great need for reinforcement at corner.

The Vikings, who are dealing with the tragic death of rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson along with Mekhi Blackmon tearing his ACL on the first day of training camp, have made their share of moves at the CB position recently. They signed another veteran, Fabian Moreau, and recently traded former second-round pick Andrew Booth in exchange for Nahshon Wright.

Gilmore will now join a Vikings CB corps that includes Byron Murphy, Shaquill Griffin and Josh Metellus at the top of the depth chart. He will also rejoin defensive coordinator Brian Flores as the two were together with the New England Patriots.

Gilmore nabbed both of his All-Pro accolades as a Patriot and was also voted 2019 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year during his New England tenure (2017-2020). However, he hardly left his prime in Boston.

Having started his career with five seasons for the Buffalo Bills, Gilmore is now set for his sixth NFL team and his fifth in five seasons. He started all 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys last year, garnering a 74.4 overall grade from PFF to go with 68 tackles, 13 pass breakups and a pair of interceptions.

After an offseason ranked 16th in Gregg Rosenthal’s Top 100 free agents and residing in the best available spot for months, Gilmore has found a new home.