The Minnesota Vikings are still finalizing their quarterback situation, but other positions on the roster, including cornerback, remain uncertain. A potential connection to cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. could shed some light on the team’s strategy moving forward.
Phil Mackey from Skor North revealed the possible link between the Vikings and Samuel during a segment titled “reckless speculation” on the “Purple Daily” podcast.
“I’ve always been cautious about diving too deep into reckless speculation, but I received an interesting call from my neighbor this morning—a few days ago, actually,” Mackey shared. “His daughter, who’s in Fort Lauderdale for spring break, was at the SWAY Nightclub with friends when she noticed a guy in a Vikings cap with an entourage. She approached him, asked if he played for the Vikings, and he smiled, saying, ‘It won’t be official for about five weeks, but yes.’ When she asked his name, he introduced himself as ‘Asante.’”
Samuel, the 47th overall pick in the 2021 draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, has been a standout player in the league. Mackey pointed out that Samuel is likely the best free-agent cornerback available.
The son of former All-Pro and Super Bowl champion Asante Samuel, the younger Samuel played in four games in 2024 and set career highs in 2023 with 63 total tackles and 13 pass deflections. Despite an injury-shortened 2024 season, he intercepted two passes in each of his first two years.
Adding intrigue is the fact that Samuel is from the area, which has fueled speculation on social media following Mackey’s story.
While this third-hand account isn’t typically the kind of rumor that carries weight, it does align with the Vikings’ possible timeline for their next moves. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recently mentioned the compensatory pick formula as a reason for the team’s cautious approach, especially with quarterbacks and possibly other signings.
The Vikings received a third-round compensatory pick in this year’s draft, and the deadline for signings to impact that formula is April 29.
“We have to balance improving the team while being mindful of the compensatory pick situation,” Adofo-Mensah said on March 26. “We’re really trying to set ourselves up for success but also considering all the different factors.”
According to Mackey’s timeline, the “about five weeks” reference—starting from March 26—would put the date around April 30. However, it’s still far from certain that either Samuel or the Vikings are heading in this direction.
As of March 29, the Vikings have nine cornerbacks on their roster, with Byron Murphy Jr. being the most experienced among them.
Leave a Reply