Vikings, CB Stephon Gilmore agree to one-year contract - ESPN

Veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore found a home Sunday with the Minnesota Vikings, a team that has been scouring the free agent and trade markets this summer to fortify a position that has been decimated by injury and tragedy.

Gilmore and the Vikings have agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $10 million with $7 million guaranteed, his agent, Jason Chayut of Sportstars Inc., told ESPN's Adam Schefter. A two-time first-team All-Pro, Gilmore is the fifth — and by far most significant — cornerback acquisition the Vikings have made this summer.

He will reunite with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who was on the New England Patriots' coaching staff for two of Gilmore's seasons with that team. Flores was the Patriots' defensive playcaller in 2018 when Gilmore received his first All-Pro honor.

Gilmore, who turns 34 next month, had been unsigned since finishing a strong 2023 season with the Dallas Cowboys. He had offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum and had visited the Vikings' facility Monday. After the visit, coach Kevin O'Connell said: «I've had a ton of respect in Stephon Gilmore's career, playing against him. This is a guy that's done it at a really high level for a long time.»

For the Vikings, the acquisition makes clear that they are not writing off the 2024 season even after losing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy to a right knee injury last week. ESPN's Football Power Index was projecting them to win 6.8 games before the Gilmore acquisition.

The Vikings finished their spring practices in June with plans to combine veterans Shaquill Griffin and Byron Murphy Jr. with a group of young cornerbacks that included Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, Andrew Booth Jr. and rookie fourth-round pick Khyree Jackson.