The fifth-seeded Minnesota Vikings traveled to Glendale, Arizona, to play against the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Rams last night at State Farm Stadium and lost 9-27. With the loss, Minnesota will transition to the next phase: the offseason. Throughout the offseason, the Vikings will make many difficult decisions on both sides of the football, including releasing players, letting them walk in free agency, or bringing them back for at least another season.
The Minnesota Vikings veteran Pro Bowl defensive back will enter free agency
Highlighting one of the Vikings’ free agents this offseason is Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore. After Mekhi Blackmon suffered a season-ending ACL tear at the start of training camp, the front office signed Gilmore to a one-year, $7 million contract worth up to $10 million in incentives in August. He had a solid first season in Minnesota, recording 56 tackles, one interception, nine pass deflections, and allowing 52 receptions on 84 targets for 596 yards, four touchdowns, and a 94.1 passer rating in coverage.
Also Read: Stephon Gilmore Signs with NFC Contender Ahead of 2024 Regular Season
Vikings veteran defensive back will contemplate retirement in 2025
During their postgame locker room interview, Stephon Gilmore told Andrew Krammer of The Star Tribune that he will sit down with his family this offseason to discuss his future in the NFL. Although he continues to play at a high level as a 34-year-old, Gilmore acknowledges the wear and tear playing football has on his body.
“Going to sit down with my family and think about what’s best for me and go from there. We’ll see. Been playing at a high level for a long time. … Older, body feeling it more.”
Stephon Gilmore said he’ll consider retirement this offseason after 182 starts in 13 NFL seasons.
“Going to sit down with my family and think about what’s best for me and go from there. We’ll see. Been playing at a high level for a long time. … Older, body feeling it more.”
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) January 14, 2025
He had a great career
If Stephon Gilmore does, in fact, retire this offseason, he had a great NFL career. Gilmore recorded 617 tackles, 32 interceptions, two pick-sixes, and 149 pass deflections in 180 games with 173 starts in 13 NFL seasons, also posting 26 tackles, two interceptions, and 12 pass deflections in nine playoff games. His accolades include six Pro Bowl and two First-Team All-Pro selections, being a Super Bowl champion in 2018-19, and winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.
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