Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell introduces defensive coordinator Brian Flores throughout a press session on the TCO Efficiency Heart on July 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. Flores discusses his background and defensive imaginative and prescient after becoming a member of Minnesota, bringing expertise from earlier roles with the Patriots, Dolphins, and Steelers into the group. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube.
The cornerback place has been an enormous drawback for the Vikings through the years, however this 12 months’s group is trying fairly strong on paper. Positive, there’s no elite shutdown nook, however the membership employs the starters from final 12 months’s elite protection in addition to free agent addition James Pierre, who ought to be a dependable backup choice. Freak athlete Charles Demmings was acquired within the draft as a developmental defender.
Although maybe not the most important want for the primary time shortly, the Vikings might additional bolster the room by signing former Colts veteran Kenny Moore. The slot defender was launched on Thursday. He requested a commerce this offseason. Indianapolis didn’t discover a commerce associate and as an alternative launched its one-time Professional Bowler.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II reacts after securing an interception within the second half towards the Los Angeles Rams at Lucas Oil Stadium, with the second unfolding on Oct 1, 2023 in Indianapolis. The defensive play sparked power for the Colts, although the sport in the end prolonged into time beyond regulation and led to a slender loss. Obligatory Credit score: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports activities.
A 2017 undrafted rookie with the New England Patriots, Moore was launched forward of his rookie season and the Indianapolis Colts signed him, which turned out to be a implausible resolution.
The defender has suited up for the Colts 132 instances and has logged 111 begins. Moore was chosen to the Professional Bowl in 2021. His spectacular statistical resume reveals 649 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 6 compelled fumbles, and 21 interceptions.
James Boyd of The Athletic defined, “Moore, who turns 31 in August and is entering the final year of his contract, has a $13.11 million salary-cap hit in 2026. The release gives the Colts an additional $7.06 million in cap space, and they’ll carry $6.05 million in dead money for the upcoming season, per Over the Cap.”
Moore has been one of many premier slot cornerbacks for years. He has performed roughly 7,500 snaps in his profession, with nearly 5,000 of them coming within the slot. Final 12 months, beneath the brand new defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, he performed the bottom snap proportion since his rookie season (76%).
Oct 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) celebrates a sack in the course of the first quarter towards the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Photos
“The veteran’s request,” Boyd added, “to move on was due, in part, to a scheme fit issue, league sources told The Athletic. Moore has typically thrived in zone coverage, whereas Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who was hired ahead of the 2025 season, requires his cornerbacks to play more man-to-man coverage.”
Guess who’s deploying zone protection at a excessive price? You guessed it, Brian Flores.
Albert Breer, SI.com, seen the Vikings as one of many hottest potential locations for Moore.
“As for potential landing spots,” Breer commented, “I think Dallas would be one, with the nickel being an important piece in new coordinator Christian Parker’s defense and the Cowboys having a hole after Jourdan Lewis’s departure to the Jaguars last year. The Vikings are another potential fit, with Moore’s versatility meshing, at least on paper, with how DC Brian Flores builds his defense. Those teams being in the NFC should also make them likely suitors, assuming Indy would rather not help out a conference rival.”
The Colts failed to draw any suitors for a slot nook who’s set to show 31 in the summertime and has a $10 million paycheck coming his method. Now that he’s a free agent, he seems to be cheaper than that.
The Vikings technically don’t want a slot cornerback, as Flores enjoys placing safeties there, and CB1 Murphy has inside-outside flexibility. In line with varied studies through the years, the Vikings like their prime nook within the slot.
Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback JuJu Brents (29) and cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) react after an interception with Indianapolis Colts security Julian Blackmon (32) throughout a sport towards the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports activities
Nevertheless, the Vikings are within the enterprise of buying good soccer gamers and Moore definitely has been one for practically a decade within the NFL. His presence would additional elevate the cornerback room.
Moore has at all times been an undersized nook at 5’9″, which comes with the required quickness to thrive within the slot. There’s additionally the aspect of expertise and soccer IQ, which he definitely brings to the desk. He’s additionally a talented blitzer, highlighted by his 11.5 profession sacks.
Given the Vikings’ efforts to seek out high-character gamers within the draft, Moore would additionally match that mildew.
Boyd commented, “In addition to his on-field performance, Moore became one of the most respected pro athletes in the Indianapolis community. He was the Colts’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee three times for his philanthropic efforts, and he also served as a volunteer teacher at Cardinal Ritter High School.”
Moore, 30, may very well be on the Vikings’ radar.
Editor’s Observe: Info from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports activities Reference helped with this text.
Janik Eckardt is a German sports activities nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He selected the Vikings to be his … Extra about Janik Eckardt
