Last Year’s Big Summer Rumor Could Still Apply to Vikings

All spring and summer last year — consistently without missing a beat — cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. frequented the Minnesota Vikings’ rumor mill. Now, with free agency two and a half weeks ago, Minnesota could once again be in the mix for Samuel Jr., who is free to sign anywhere in the NFL next month.

Samuel Jr.’s market looks softer this time, and that keeps the Vikings’ idea alive if they want a free-agent CB swing.

Zany rumors connected Samuel Jr. to the Vikings in 2025, but this go-round, it could be as simple as a recruiting pitch and a pen to paper.

Samuel Jr. Buzz Alive Again for Vikings

Last year’s Samuel Jr. agenda is alive and well.

SI.com Identifies Samuel Jr. as a Vikings FA Candidate

Samuel Jr. is probably gettable this offseason for a contract worth $10 million to $12 million over two years. He’s still very much in a “prove it” zone after a scary neck injury in 2024 and subsequent recovery throughout 2025.

SI.com’s Joe Nelson listed him as a Vikings free-agent target this week and noted, “There will be bidders for a player of Samuel’s caliber, but for a projected price of a one-year, $5.5 million prove-it deal, Samuel could be an ideal addition to Flores’ defense. He returned from a career-threatening neck injury to play seven games with the Steelers this past season, and he performed admirably.”

“He finished with a 70.1 defensive grade from PFF and a 68.0 coverage grade. He allowed seven catches on 10 passes into his coverage, and he also had an interception.”

After a year of theories from fans — one that even originated from Samuel Jr. allegedly wearing a Vikings hat in a Florida nightclub last offseason — Minnesota finally has a chance to put the man in purple. It won’t be terribly difficult.

Vikings Met with Him Last Year (Midseason)

Meanwhile, this relationship should already have inroads. Samuel Jr. went on a world tour of sorts in November 2025 before signing with the Steelers. One of his stops? Eagan, Minnesota — with the Vikings, presumably talking with head coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

The possible free-agent relationship this year already has the seed planted. Indeed, Samuel Jr. picked Pittsburgh over Minnesota, but with Mike Tomlin now removed from the Steelers, perhaps he’ll see the light and work for Flores. It’s not an outlandish take.

The Numbers

Samuel Jr. appeared in six games for the 2025 Steelers, banking 222 defensive snaps and a 67.2 Pro Football Focus grade.

In 2023, his last season as a full-time player, Samuel Jr. quietly posted one of his best years, earning a 73.9 PFF grade, a level of performance Minnesota would enjoy.

Here’s a look at his PFF grades since 2021:

• 2021: 56.4
• 2022: 72.6
• 2023: 73.9
• 2024: 59.3
• 2025: 67.2

Although his grade dipped in 2024, his performance in the previous two years indicates he can be a reliable starter. If the Vikings can get him back to his 2022–2023 form, the signing could prove to be a real win. He’s still young, has experience covering top receivers, and is a good fit for Flores’ man-heavy defensive scheme.

Financially, this appears to be a low-risk, short-term move. A one-year “prove it” deal should be relatively inexpensive.

PFF’s Mason Cameron made the case this week for Samuel Jr. to the New Orleans Saints, noting, “Now a free agent, the 26-year-old cornerback can navigate the market for a solid opportunity to reestablish himself. One enticing franchise that should pick up the phone is the Saints, pairing Samuel with his former coach and current Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.”

“Under Staley, Samuel enjoyed the best seasons of his career, earning 75.0-plus PFF coverage grades as a starter in both 2022 and 2023.”

Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor is on tap for free agency in 2.5 weeks.

Cameron added, “While the Saints aren’t in dire need of outside cornerback help, with young players Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley already in the fold, Samuel would be a high-upside, cost-effective depth option as New Orleans navigates Alontae Taylor’s expiring contract and Isaac Yiadom’s potential release.”

Would Samuel Jr. Be Enough at CB?

Suppose the Vikings make the Samuel Jr. rumor come true, alas. The 2026 cornerback room would look like this before the draft:

• Byron Murphy Jr.
• Isaiah Rodgers
• Asante Samuel Jr.
• Dwight McGlothern
• Zemaiah Vaughn

Minnesota would then have a decision to get filthy deep at cornerback, possibly drafting a Round 1 corner like Mansoor Delane (LSU), Avieon Terrell (Clemson), Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), Colton Hood (Tennessee), or Brandon Cisse (South Carolina). The upcoming draft is already known for cornerback depth, so Flores and friends might be in good hands.

Even without a shiny CB in Round 1, the Vikings could be in decent shape with the above-listed roster, assuming they sign a veteran CB4, like Fabian Moreau from the last couple of seasons.

Samuel Jr. will turn 27 in October.