Vikings’ next move obvious following Adam Thielen trade, ‘please do something…’
The Minnesota Vikings made a deal for veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen yesterday, but the roster still has a very clear area of need.
Adam Thielen spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, and now returns after a two-year absence to add experience to their wide receiver room.
While the Thielen reunion is cause for celebration, fans are still desperate to know what the plan is on defense.
Vikings’ clear need for a cornerback must be addressed before the season begins
The Minnesota Vikings have constructed a potential NFC title-contending roster, except for one position.
They’re loaded with talent on offense and spent the majority of the offseason focusing on building an elite offensive line to better support the run game and quarterback JJ McCarthy.
They have depth at running back, wide receiver, and one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the game, and if JJ McCarthy can play well this season, they’re in a great spot as an offense.
Things are similar on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in the front seven. The reworked pass rush has proven to be one of the league’s best, and star defensive end Jonathan Greenard believes they can dominate in 2025.
However, the depth at cornerback is a major issue, with the team currently carrying just four cornerbacks on the 53-man roster.
Byron Murphy will occupy the slot role, while Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah are currently listed as the team’s starting cornerbacks.
Rodgers started just three games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, playing a backup role. He saw just eight snaps in their Super Bowl win before signing with the Vikings in the offseason.
Jeff Okudah, while a former top-five overall pick, has spent the last couple of seasons trying to find a home in the NFL. He was with Atlanta in 2023 and in Houston in 2024, where he played a backup role in the six games he featured in.
The Minnesota Vikings fan base is growing increasingly concerned about the lack of starting caliber perimeter corners on the roster.
One wrote:
“The cornerback and wide receiver rooms are continuing to give me nightmares.
Please do something to alleviate these fears, Vikings.”
While they’ve now addressed the wide receiver situation, the struggle at corner is still very evident.
Alec Lewis, who reports on the Vikings, seems to believe the team will now turn their attention to adding corners.
“The conclusion to these negotiations allows the Vikings to move forward on other areas of need for the roster, such as cornerback and returner.”
While discussing the current four-man depth on X, one fan said:
“There’s just no way we can start the season that way.”
Vikings options to bring in a cornerback before the season begins
Minnesota are just days away from their season opener against the Chicago Bears, which takes place on Monday Night Football on September 8th.
They’ve left it late in the day to address their issues at corner, but there are a couple of options in play.
One of the most obvious is the return of Stephon Gilmore, who is currently a free agent. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year hasn’t yet signed with a team for the 2025 season, after spending 2024 in Minnesota.
The veteran started 16 games for the Vikings last season, managing an interception and nine pass breakups.
They could also choose to reunite with Shaq Griffin, who was cut by the Seattle Seahawks yesterday.
Seattle has a deep CB room, and while Griffin didn’t make the cut, he still has a lot of starting experience in the league. He, too, was with the Vikings in 2024, and some fans want to see both veterans return for the season ahead.
Outside of that, there are other names appearing in potential trade conversations. One of those is Noah Igbinoghene of the Washington Commanders , a former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins who found some form more recently in his career.
