The Minnesota Vikings were never closely linked to Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey, but he always appeared the kind of player their defense could use.
Minnesota lost two of its three starting cornerbacks (Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin) in free agency this offseason after bringing back Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr. on a three-year, $54 million contract.
After leading the league with 24 interceptions last season and entering 2025 with a boatload of salary cap space, it seemed logical the Vikings would at least consider a splashy move in the secondary.
Instead the team focused on the trenches, adding two starting offensive linemen (Will Fries, Ryan Kelly) and two starting defensive linemen (Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave) in free agency before selecting offensive guard Donovan Jackson out of Ohio State in the first round of the NFL draft.
Former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.
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To replace Gilmore and Griffin, the Vikings brought in free agent Isaiah Rodgers and are banking on former third-round pick Mekhi Blackmon bouncing back from an ACL injury he suffered on the first day of training camp in July 2024.
Rodgers won a championship ring with the Philadelphia Eagles in February, but he started just three games in 15 appearances for the Eagles last season. Rodgers has played in 60 total games in his career across a three-year stint with the Indianapolis Colts and one season in Philadelphia, starting just 13 of those contests.
Rodgers has amassed 14 pass breakups, three interceptions and two forced fumbles over his four-year NFL career. His professional tenure should be a season longer, though the NFL suspended the defensive back for the entirety of the 2023 campaign for violation of the league's gambling policies.
Former Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Considering Rodgers' moderate production, minimal starting experience and serious lapse in judgement, Minnesota seemed primed to at least explore a deal for a player like Ramsey, as the team has north of $23.5 million in cap space currently available.
Whether the Vikings ever actually kicked the tires on Ramsey is unclear, though it doesn't matter now after the Dolphins traded the $72 million cornerback to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 pick swap-- the Dolphins get a fifth-rounder from the Steelers and send a seventh-rounder back.
Minnesota could still add another cornerback to the roster if the secondary looks shaky during training camp, though it would more likely be a modest move than a blockbuster trade the likes of which Miami and Pittsburgh executed on Monday, June 30.
