The Minnesota Vikings have many difficult questions to answer this offseason before they prepare for the 2025 season. One that no one wants to think about is, “Will Stephon Gilmore be back in Minnesota in 2025?”
Gilmore signed with the Vikings just before the regular season started in a classic veteran move to avoid Training Camp, one can only assume. Despite not having much of an offseason program or preseason, Gilmore came in right away and made an immediate impact. He provided stability and veteran leadership, but he overplayed the value of his contract.
With no cornerbacks under contract in 2025, the Vikings are going to have some new faces, most likely on the depth chart.
That begs the question: What sort of contract might Gilmore be looking at on the free agent market, and should the Vikings shell out for a safe, reliable option at cornerback?
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year had a strong 2024 season. He made 56 tackles, broke up nine passes, and intercepted one more. Nothing flashy pops off on paper but when you watch him the flashes are still there despite being an aging veteran.
Gilmore is projected to have a contract value of just under $5 million for 2025. With the Vikings projected to have over $60 million in cap space, they can easily accommodate this type of deal for Gilmore and have plenty left over to improve their offensive line situation.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Gilmore returned to the Vikings. It makes sense on several levels, the biggest of which is that it would be worth it for the Vikings to maintain as much defensive continuity as possible.