Stephon Gilmore Leaves Vikings Visit Empty-Handed

The Minnesota Vikings hosted Stephon Gilmore in Eagan, on Monday. All indications seemed to point toward the visit ending in a contract signing photo shoot. Instead, Gilmore left TCO Performance Center, prior to the Vikings’ annual public night practice (which did not feature JJ McCarthy), without a deal in place.

Kevin O’Connell told reporters that Gilmore’s visit was a “very positive”. Nonetheless, it has to be disappointing that they couldn’t close him, while the near 34-year old was in the building.

Stephon Gilmore leaves Minnesota Vikings visit without deal

Vikings had a “really positive visit” with free agent CB Stephon Gilmore today, per Kevin O’Connell, but no immediate signing. Referred to the visit as a “sneak preview” of the culture that Gilmore would be joining if it works out.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 12, 2024

Of course, his leaving town doesn’t mean Gilmore can’t sign tomorrow, or a week from now, etc. But whether KOC is willing to admit it or not, the likelihood of inking the veteran cornerback drastically decreased the moment he rolled out of the TCO parking lot.

• Stephon Gilmore stats (career): 158 starts, 561 tackles, 31 INT, 2 TD, 140 PD, 7 FF
• Super Bowl champion, 2019 DPOY, 2x All-Pro, five Pro Bowls

Vikings need help in the secondary

Even if it’s not Gilmore, the Minnesota Vikings need to find cornerback help. Their secondary is not talented enough to hold up in the NFC North. Yes, Flores has a talented safety room to work with. But that isn’t going to be enough.

Related: JJ McCarthy Sidelined for Vikings Annual Night Practice

Talented safeties do not make a good football team. At the end of the day, if you don’t have the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s on the outside, you won’t have W’s either. We saw how Gardner Minshew picked the Vikings apart on Saturday. It won’t get any better come the regular season.