The Vikings struck out ahead of the trade deadline and entered the second half of the season without any reinforcements besides the previously injured players who have recently returned. Yet, help could still be on the way.
Vikings Secure Visit with Top Free Agent Target
The trade door is closed for the remainder of the season, but players can still be acquired if they are unsigned. One of those is cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who many consider to be the top free agent available now that he’s healthy.
The Vikings are scheduled to host the cornerback in the near future. NFL reporter Jordan Schultz noted on Wednesday, “Sources: Former #Chargers CB Asante Samuel Jr., who was recently cleared by doctors after undergoing a spinal fusion procedure, is starting to take visits and will have the #Panthers first. Carolina is 5-4 on the year.”
Carolina has been competitive for the first time in years, and they want to bolster their roster even further to potentially make a playoff push for the first time since 2017.
But Schultz didn’t stop there: “Sources: The #Packers and #Vikings are also scheduled to have visits with CB Asante Samuel Jr. But #Panthers are first today, I’m told.”
That makes three teams with reported interest. During the visits, the teams have a chance to make their case why they are the best destination for the 26-year-old’s next career steps. Another key aspect is that they can have their team doctors examine his injuries. Samuel Jr. is primarily unsigned because of a back surgery he underwent in April and ongoing shoulder problems.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote this week, “Free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who underwent spinal fusion surgery in April, has been cleared for football activities and plans to make free agency visits as soon as this week. In March, Samuel was the No. 14 overall free agent in ESPN’s pre-free agency rankings. Some team executives considered him the best corner in the class. But he went on injured reserve in 2024 and was limited to four games.”
Injuries constrained him to only four games last season. Already in 2025, the NFL is in Week 10, meaning even more games have been missed.
“At the end of that season, Samuel described the injury as a stinger in both shoulders but also a condition he has been dealing with since he was born. It became clear in the spring he needed the procedure,” Fowler added.
The Vikings have dealt with cornerback struggles since the 2020 offseason when Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes departed. It’s been quite a rotational door ever since, but at least Pro Bowler Byron Murphy has brought some consistency.
This season, free agent addition Isaiah Rodgers has been his wingman. Rodgers has been flashy, but also been beaten deep a couple of times. The CB3 in the building is Jeff Okudah. The once-promising defender is currently dealing with his second concussion of the season. Along with his struggles on the field, he could end up sidelined for one reason or another.
The Vikings don’t have a clear replacement, though. Dwight McGlothern, an undrafted sophomore, has shown flashes in August’s preseason, but doesn’t have much of a regular-season track record. On Sunday, coordinator Brian Flores opted to go with Fabian Moreau instead.
Samuel Jr. was viewed as a premier free agent with injury concerns in March, and that proves his talent on the field. The Vikings could complete their CB trio in free agency, but the Packers and the Panthers are in the race, too.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
