The Minnesota Vikings’ top priority this offseason, alongside resolving their quarterback situation, will be addressing their struggles in the secondary.
Despite having former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore and Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr., the Vikings ranked 29th in passing defense. With both Gilmore and Murphy set to hit free agency, alongside safety Camryn Bynum, the team will need to find solutions for their defensive backfield. Murphy is expected to command a substantial payday, putting pressure on Minnesota to secure talent for their defense’s future.
Given the limited options available at cornerback in free agency, the Vikings may need to pursue a trade to strengthen their secondary.
Vikings Eyeing Jamel Dean in Potential Trade
Maurice Moton from Bleacher Report suggests that the Vikings could target Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean to address their defensive back issues. With the Buccaneers sitting on $7.8 million in cap space, they might seek to reshape their secondary by moving Dean, who is entering the third year of a contract with no guaranteed money left.
After signing an extension in 2023, Dean has missed nine games and recorded 11 pass breakups with just one interception. The Buccaneers could be looking to trade him for a draft pick and free up cap space.
While not a star, Dean has been a solid starter since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2019. The Vikings should consider making a move for him if he becomes available, especially as they have several cornerbacks, including Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau, whose contracts are set to expire.
Jamel Dean
Could Jamel Dean Fix the Vikings’ Struggling Secondary?
Jamel Dean may not be a standout corner, but he’s been a reliable starter in the league and could be an affordable option for the Vikings. With two years remaining on his four-year, $52 million extension, Dean provides a cost-effective alternative to Murphy, who could demand a significant extension worth over $20 million annually.
The Vikings have over $63 million in cap space, but re-signing quarterback Sam Darnold and renewing contracts for other key players like Jonathan Bullard and Pro Bowler Aaron Jones could make it challenging to commit to a long-term deal for Murphy. Dean would be a more affordable choice, offering similar production at a lower cost. While Dean did miss five games in 2025 due to injuries, he is not seen as a major injury risk.
The Vikings could likely acquire Dean for a fourth-round pick, as the Buccaneers may want to clear his contract off the books while they rebuild their secondary, which struggled in 2024 due to injuries.
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