Potential West Coast Reunion Could Spoil Vikings Backup Plan

   

The Minnesota Vikings have been questioned for not selecting a cornerback in the 2025 NFL Draft despite the team addressing the position in the offseason.

Minnesota signed Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah to help give the position more depth to work with starter Byron Murphy Jr. The organization has been high on Rodgers and Okudah being able to step in as starters for the team, from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, head coach Kevin O’Connell, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

One of their top corners from last year’s team could be on the verge of signing with another team in free agency.

ESPN’s Brady Henderson and Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday that the Seattle Seahawks are in discussions with former Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Fowler added that the Seahawks are looking for a veteran cornerback to help, and Griffin was high on their list.

Griffin spent just one season with the Vikings last year, appearing in 17 games. During the year, he made 41 tackles, the most he has racked up since 2021, six pass deflections, and three interceptions.

Many Vikings fans saw Griffin as insurance if it did not work out with Rodgers or Okudah. Griffin allowed the second-lowest QB rating against him of his career with a 75.8 rating.

A reunion in Seattle makes sense for Griffin, though, as he spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks. He made the Pro Bowl with Seattle in 2019 after making 65 tackles and 13 pass deflections.

There was hope that Minnesota might be able to re-sign Griffin as he was seen working out in Vikings gear. Depending on how close the two sides are to a deal, the Vikings could be out of luck.

This leaves the Vikings in a situation where they have to hope that Rodgers and Okudah are worth the investment, with a pass defense that was the fifth worst in the NFL a year ago.