Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores patrols the sideline throughout a world matchup towards the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Flores remained engaged all through the competition, overseeing defensive changes and communication from the teaching space. On Oct. 6, 2024, Minnesota continued its robust early-season run whereas showcasing its aggressive defensive identification overseas. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Pictures.
Fortunately, a Vikings coach thinks that the difficulty is minor.
DC Brian Flores chatted with the media earlier than yesterday’s apply. A query about James Pierre received requested, resulting in the perception concerning the veteran’s standing: “Yeah, it sounds like it’s a short-term thing. He was out at the walk through today. He’ll be part of individuals today. We’ll see if we can get him a couple snaps here and there.”
Vikings Coach Thinks James Pierre Coping with Minor Harm
Including Mr. Pierre is all about making the workforce as a complete higher. Maybe that sounds apparent, but it surely’s a degree price making. Pierre is a bit of the puzzle for the way the secondary can matchup with the opposition.
Final yr, the Vikings opted to signal Jeff Okudah to operate because the CB3. Doing so made some sense given the previous Lions’ draft historical past — he went very excessive — and upside as any individual able to wrestling with the NFL’s large receivers (Mike Evans, D.Ok. Metcalf, and so forth). Previous to getting harm, Okudah struggled in that job assigment; he then missed a lot of the season attributable to being harm.
Choosing Pierre in free company is supposed to resolve that downside for 2026. Byron Murphy is the slot specialist and Isaiah Rodgers the velocity service provider. Pierre is providing a big body to bounce with beefy receivers.
Jan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) alternate jerseys after an AFC wild card sport at M&T Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Geoff Burke-Imagn Pictures
The previous Steeler shouldn’t be understood as a magic elixir who will make the opposite aspect’s long-and-strong receivers disappear. Moderately, he’s any individual who is supposed to make life tough for them. Make ’em earn each yard; that’s the way in which Coach Flores needs to play protection. Nothing free.
In 2025, James Pierre supplied some terrific soccer to the Pittsburgh Steelers. His fourteen video games featured 5 begins, resulting in a complete of 376 snaps on protection. His statistics present 30 tackles alongside 1 interception and 11 passes defended.
Extra promising, maybe, is that passes into his protection resulted in simply 42.9% being accomplished. Solely 15/35 passes ended up being accomplished. These catches went for a mixed 130 yards, averaging a modest 8.7 yards per catch. A grand whole of zero touchdowns received accomplished into his protection and passers mixed for a passer score coming in at 41.4.
Minnesota landed Pierre for a discount contract coming in at $8.5 million throughout a pair of seasons. Seeing him replicate final yr’s brilliance will make that contract look very spiffy.
The evaluation on PFF is basically in settlement. The analytics web site tossed over a scorching 86.2 grade, good for 2nd total among the many 112 corners who certified for the rating.
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans huge receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs towards Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) through the second half of an AFC Wild Card Spherical sport at Acrisure Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Pictures.
In a while in the identical presser, Coach Flores indicated that seeing a veteran miss time is a chance for the younger lads. Guys corresponding to Chuck Demmings can soar into the open snaps. Impressing the Vikings coaches (particularly the DC) with these reps can result in confidence about elevating the depth guys when the beginning lineup will get depleted.
Do be aware, although, that the conclusion of the DC’s reply brings issues round to an optimistic outlook for Pierre: “From what I understand, JP is going to be okay.”
James Pierre, 29, stands at 6’2″ and weighs 185 kilos. The Vikings wish to give him a hearty workload within the upcoming season, so enjoying it cautious together with his damage at the start of camp is the way in which to go.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E-mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
