In addition to resolving their complicated quarterback situation, the Minnesota Vikings’ top priority this offseason will be addressing their secondary.
Despite having former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore and newly selected Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr., the Vikings ranked 29th in passing defense.
With both Gilmore and Murphy set to hit free agency, along with safety Camryn Bynum, and Murphy expected to receive a significant contract, Minnesota will need to find a way to strengthen their defense in the secondary moving forward.
With limited options at corner in free agency next week, the Vikings may have to go the trade route to find quality talent to boost the faltering defensive back room.
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report believes the Vikings could make a play for Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback, Jamel Dean, this month to alleviate their DB woes.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have $7.8 million in cap space”, Moton writes, “If they want more financial flexibility, they can continue to reshape the secondary, particularly on the boundary.
Last offseason, the Buccaneers traded veteran cornerback Carlton Davis to the Detroit Lions, and this year, they may look to move Jamel Dean, who is entering the third year of a contract with no guaranteed money remaining.
Since signing his extension in 2023, Dean has missed nine games, recording 11 pass breakups and just one interception. Tampa Bay may be inclined to trade him for a draft pick to gain some cap relief.
When healthy, Dean is a reliable starting cornerback, and the Minnesota Vikings could have interest in him if he becomes available. The Vikings have four cornerbacks—Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau—whose contracts are set to expire.
Jamel Dean may not be an elite talent, but he’s been a solid starting cornerback since entering the league as a third-round pick from Auburn in 2019.
With two years remaining on his 4-year, $52 million extension signed in 2023, Dean is still a valuable asset and could serve as an affordable boundary CB2 for several teams, including the Vikings.
While the Vikings have over $63 million in salary cap space, they may need to allocate funds for re-signing quarterback Sam Darnold to a deal exceeding $30 million, as well as renewing contracts for key players like Jonathan Bullard and Pro Bowler Aaron Jones. This could make it challenging to extend Byron Murphy, whose new deal might exceed $20 million per year.
Dean offers a cheaper and proven alternative to Murphy, with the ability to replicate much of Murphy’s performance. Despite missing five games in 2025 due to hamstring and knee injuries, Dean is unlikely to be viewed as a major injury risk by most teams.
Minnesota could likely acquire Dean for no more than a fourth-round pick, as the Buccaneers are likely eager to move him off their books for the 2025 season while focusing on rebuilding a secondary that struggled in 2024, albeit with significant injury setbacks.
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