Vikings to sign veteran defensive back

McCain has spent nine seasons in the NFL across three teams. His first stint came in Miami, which included time spent under then-head coach Brian Flores. The latter is now the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, and he will have a familiar face in the fold during training camp. McCain will use the coming weeks attempting to carve out a spot on Minnesota’s defense (or at least a special teams role).

The 30-year-old spent a pair of seasons as a full-time starter in Washington. Across the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, McCain logged just over 2,000 snaps while seeing considerable time at safety. He also saw time at slot corner, however, and his path to a 53-man roster spot in Minnesota could be at the CB position.

McCain was released by the Commanders last offseason (as he was at the end of his Dolphins tenure), paving the way for a one-year Giants contract. The former fifth-rounder was used heavily on special teams during his brief New York tenure, but he saw just 19 defensive snaps. He was let go in December and remained unsigned until now. McCain will face plenty of competition for a safety role alongside Harrison Smith, but he could earn a depth spot as a corner.

Rookie Khyree Jackson died in a car accident this offseason, and Mekhi Blackmon suffered an ACL tear last week. Head coach Kevin O’Connell recently said, via Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Vikings would look into further free agent options. Minnesota already signed Duke Shelley, and he will now join McCain in competing for a roster spot.

The latter is a veteran of 131 games and 87 starts, and his familiarity with Flores could allow him to secure playing time on his newest team. Minnesota entered Monday with just over $19M in cap space, so an underwhelming showing from McCain would still allow for further depth moves in the secondary to be made if necessary.