Since the season ended, the Vikings’ corner situation has been a topic of discussion. All of Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon […]
Since the season ended, the Vikings’ corner situation has been a topic of discussion.
All of Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau are scheduled to hit free agency next week. Put differently, that’s Minnesota’s CB1, CB2, CB3, and CB4. Minnesota currently has Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern atop the depth chart, young guys with promise but who still have a lot to prove. What’s next for the crucial position?
The Vikings’ Cheap Corner: Veteran Fabian Moreau
Start off with what basically every Vikings fan wants to see: a new deal for Byron Murphy.
The former Cardinal became a Viking after agreeing to a two-year, $17.5 million deal in the 2023 offseason. Last year, Murphy made the Pro Bowl in the final year of his contract, largely due to his 6 interceptions and 14 passes defended. A new deal for the CB1 would probably mean getting close to that $17.5 million number … but on a yearly basis.
Free agency seems sure to offer some fireworks for Minnesota, but an under-the-radar move could be to simply re-sign Fabian Moreau.
In April, Moreau is going to turn 31, so he’s closer to the end of his career than the beginning. He offers pretty good size at 6’0″, 204 and has been in the NFL since getting drafted at No. 81 back in the 2017 NFL Draft. His eight seasons have involved playing in Washington, Atlanta, Denver, New York (for the Giants), and in Minnesota.
He was active for just seven games last season. At first, Akayleb Evans was getting into the lineup, largely due to the young corner’s ability as a gunner on punt team. Once Evans was cut, Moreau got the nod. He snagged 102 snaps on defense and then 56 on special teams. He was credited with 7 tackles and 1 pass defended.
After the Cardinals game, Moreau received some criticism for allowing the touchdown to Marvin Harrison Jr., but re-watch the clip. Moreau is offering some pretty sticky coverage. Kyler Murray puts the ball in a great spot and a great receiver makes a great play. Sometimes, a defender simply needs to tip his cap and move onto the next play.
Last season, the Vikings had Moreau on the roster for a cap hit coming in at just $1,458,529. Cap hits from previous seasons — alongside his depth role and advancing age — suggest that he’s very likely to sign a modest deal yet again.
Fabian Moreau isn’t the world’s best corner but he could stabilize the team’s floor. Furthermore, he could offer continuity for a secondary that appears ready for a major transition. Moving into free agency and the draft with Murphy, Blackmon, McGlothern, and Moreau wouldn’t be a bad place to be. One or two starting-level corners would give the CB room a nice blend of high-end talent and strong depth alongside a good balance of youth and experience.
NFL free agency is going to get started next week. Keeping Moreau for cheap looks like an overshadowed way of helping the Vikings to remain competitive in 2025.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on social media (Bluesky & Twitter). If you feel so inclined, subscribe to his Substack, The Vikings Gazette, for more great Vikings content.
