Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Cameron Dantzler’s profession has all however flamed out within the NFL, however the man needs again in.
Former Vikings Defender Desires One other Probability
The once-promising former Minnesota Vikings cornerback has tweeted just a few occasions within the final a number of weeks about his want to return. He needs to be again and part of the massive leagues.
Dantlzer tweeted final Friday, “My story isn’t over just watch what God about to do with me 😊🙏🏽.”
And one week earlier than the earlier tweet, Dantzler posted, “I’ll be back playing this year. Can’t wait 🥺 I missed it so much not going to lie. God opened my eyes to never get too comfortable and to remain prayed up and humble. Bc it all can leave. Lord I thank you in advance.”
Plus, the trifecta from December, “I know I was immature and had some growing up to do as a man and as a PRO. Me not being on a team right now is crazy work tho🤦🏽♂️.”
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Social media campaigns like Dantzler’s hardly ever work, and if he parlayed the pleas into an NFL contract, it could seemingly be a summer season tryout that, at finest, might fetch follow squad placement. The 26-year-old performed — somewhat bit — for the New Orleans Saints in 2023, however New Orleans waived him on January 1st, 2024. He later latched onto the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas and a CFL membership.
Right here’s his profession resume so far:
Minnesota Vikings (2020–2022)
Washington Commanders (2023)
Buffalo Payments (2023)
Houston Texans (2023)
New Orleans Saints (2023)
San Antonio Brahmas (2024)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2024–current)
Dantzler has bounced like a pinball after leaving the Vikings. Minnesota waived him on March tenth, 2023. He was scooped off waivers quickly after by the Washington Commanders, who later mentioned sayonara to Dantzler in Could. On June seventh, the Buffalo Payments signed Dantzler to their 90-man roster, the place he’d presumably vie for a daily season roster spot.
Seven weeks later, Buffalo waived Dantzler as nicely. Then, in the course of the NFL’s ultimate roster trimdowns in August, Dantzler was an odd man out in Houston with the Texans. An journey, certainly.
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.
The veteran defender confirmed numerous flashes of productiveness since getting into the NFL as a Third-Spherical draft choose in 2020 however completed three straight seasons with a whimper on account of damage or in any other case. Dantzler fired up a praiseworthy 70.9 Professional Soccer Focus grade as a rookie, adopted by a fair higher 73.8 rating in 2021. But, after getting injured midseason in 2022, Dantzler by no means appeared to get well and misplaced his beginning job.
Vikings followers and pundits knew the 2023 offseason would entail defensive change, however Dantzler wasn’t essentially on the checklist of possible cuts. He was cheap, younger, and possessed the “upside” label. Nonetheless, Minnesota parted methods with Dantzler, including newcomer CBs Byron Murphy, Mekhi Blackmon, and Joejuan Williams.
In 2022, Dantzler scored a game-sealing fumble restoration — which was actually simply Dantzler yanking a soccer away from former teammate Ihmir Smith-Marsette — over the Chicago Bears at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. It turned out to be his sweetest spotlight of the season and maybe his profession.
Chuck Cook dinner-USA TODAY Sports activities.
It’s value noting that Dantzler in some way discovered the doghouse beneath two Vikings head coaches — Mike Zimmer in 2021 and Kevin O’Connell in 2022. Maybe he’s grown and can discover employment earlier than too lengthy.
If Dantzler’s comeback want is granted, it should most likely be a crew this spring or summer season, the place he’d battle in coaching camp for a roster spot.
He’ll flip 27 this fall.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his each day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options company, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple crew, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as carefully because the NFL.
All statistics offered by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual info offered by OverTheCap.com.
