Vikings Fill Open Roster Spot with a Young Corner

For the most part, Minnesota has been a healthy football team. Unfortunately, safety Jamal Adams stands out as the exception since he’s now done for the year.

The Vikings filled the open spot with a young player for the secondary.

Consider what the team’s official social media had to say: “The #Vikings have signed CB @brycephillipsbp and placed LB Jamal Adams on IR.” Obviously, nobody wants to see an injury but this is an instance of Minnesota responding to a minus one with a plus one. The focus now shifts toward what Phillips can do inside a purple jersey.

The Vikings Filled Open Roster Spot: CB Bryce Phillips

Think of the Vikings’ secondary as a singular whole rather than being divvied up into two different positions.

DC Brian Flores doesn’t appear overly concerned about position titles and the perceived limitations that accompany whatever is normal for those spots. A corner who can play free safety will get tasked with doing so; a safety who can play along the edge will do so. Move through the various positions and Coach Flores will consistently demonstrate a willingness to task his players with unusual responsibilities.

Rolling with Bryce Phillips to replace Jamal Adams makes sense within that broader consideration of the defensive backs. Losing a versatile safety hurts. Quite possibly, part of the adjustment means emphasizing a nickel package with three corners rather than three safeties. Beefing up the corner spot is part of that approach.

Bryce Phillips went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft despite tossing up a very promising 8.58 RAS. He played his ball for San Diego State. Once upon a time, Kevin O’Connell played quarterback for the same school. Kansas City scooped him on a three-year deal that saw a whopping $267,500 included as guaranteed money, per Over the Cap.

The Chiefs’ website considered the overall haul of UDFA talents by offering a quick blurb for each player. Consider the assessment of Bryce Phillips:

A two-year starter for the Aztecs, Phillips was on the field for at least 700 defensive snaps (and 350 coverage snaps) in each of the last two seasons. He recorded seven pass-breakups and two interceptions in that time.

Primarily a wide cornerback at San Diego State, the 5-foot-11, 202-pound Phillips began his career at Tennessee State, where he played for two seasons from 2022-23.

In all likelihood, the Vikings could only clear out roster room for a half dozen corners. Of those six possible spots, there are four certainties. All of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and James Pierre are getting onto the final team. Next up is rookie Chuck Demmings, somebody who has picked up a lot of fans since getting drafted in the 5th Round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s looking like the CB4.

Next up is a collection of roster talent that’s trying to prove worthy of one of those final spots. Think Zemaiah Vaughn, Dwight McGlothern, and various others. Bryce Phillips needs to prove more promising than most of these guys to get onto the 53-man roster.

Moreover, there’s the safety talent to consider. Unless there’s a trade, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, and Jakobe Thomas are getting onto the team. Tavierre Thomas appears quite likely to, as well, since he demanded a pretty good contract. What about Kahlef Hailassie and Jacob Thomas? It’s a less obvious connection, but the safety talent makes the roster battle tougher for Phillips.

Bryce Phillips is listed by the Minnesota Vikings as being 6’0″ and 195 pounds. He’ll need to prove helpful on specials while demonstrating promise on defense. Do that and he’s got a chance to make the final team.

The Vikings will host the Ravens for joint practices in a couple days.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.