Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Despite positive inroads made by new defensive coordinator and former Miami Dolphins head coach, Brian Flores, throughout the course of the 2023 season, the Minnesota Vikings still lack talent on all 3 levels of their defense.

Particularly egregious is their complete dearth of ability in the secondary, where the aged Harrison Smith leads an inexperienced group of former mid-round draft picks, with the only even somewhat highly regarded corner being Byron Murphy Jr.

Minnesota Vikings Brass Looking For Aid On The Backend Of The Defense

As a result, general manager, Kwesi Adofo Mensah and head coach, Kevin O’Connell, both knew that reinforcements would be needed if the Vikings were to in any way seriously compete in what is quickly becoming a more and more competitive NFC North.

With that in mind, and with earlier free agent signings being focused on the first 2 levels of the defense, Minnesota has finally signed a corner with starting pedigree, per Jordan Schultz

Shaquill Griffin Providing Some Help For A Lacking Vikings Secondary

Since making the Pro Bowl in 2019, Shaquill Griffin has had a roller coaster ride of a career.

He signed a big money, 3 year, $44.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in March 2021, before not truly playing up to his contract and eventually being released 2 years later in March 2023.

Having been picked up by the Houston Texans later that off-season, he once again did not show enough to be kept around, and was released late into the season and picked up by the Carolina Panthers.

Now signing with the Minnesota Vikings, the question is which Shaq Griffin will they get – the Pro Bowl caliber starter, or the borderline backup that could not stay on the Jaguars or Texans’ roster.


More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Heat legend cautions Lakers against hiring JJ Redick
Welcome to the WNBA: Caitlin Clark sets infamous record in debut
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to blowout win in Game 5 vs. Pacers
Nikola Jokic torches DPOY to lead Nuggets past Wolves in Game 5
Oilers use late heroics to tie Canucks at two games each
Watch: Astros pitcher ejected after foreign substance check
Kirk Cousins not angry with Falcons because winning is 'hard enough'
Bronny James has surprising comments on potentially teaming up with LeBron
Bills add two-time Super Bowl champ to new-look WR room
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Sandy Alderson denies involvement in Mets, Billy Eppler IL controversy
Twins reliever shut down for six weeks with patellar tendon tear
Chris Finch throws shade at Nuggets star over Rudy Gobert’s fine
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN
Rangers defenseman wins Mark Messier Leadership Award
Ex-NFL head coach takes over as Arena Football League commish
Yankees young stud takes major step in return from injury
See top groupings for Rounds 1 and 2 at 2024 PGA Championship
Former Bruins winger dead at 75