Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans huge receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs towards Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) in the course of the second half of an AFC Wild Card Spherical sport at Acrisure Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Pictures.
When the Minnesota Vikings launched into free company in March, their very first signing — one of many few — snagged cornerback James Pierre from the Pittsburgh Steelers. And for his or her troubles, Minnesota evidently acquired one of many league’s most clutch gamers, says Professional Soccer Focus.
PFF’s Bradley Locker recognized the highest 4th Quarter and Additional time efficiency throughout the enterprise, and Pierre was included.
Pierre Brings Actual CB3 Intrigue to Minnesota
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre change jerseys after an AFC wild card matchup on Jan. 11, 2025, at M&T Financial institution Stadium in Baltimore. The postgame second adopted a bodily divisional playoff battle between longtime AFC North rivals, with Pierre and Jackson sharing respect after competing underneath postseason strain in entrance of a nationwide viewers. Necessary Credit score: Geoff Burke-Imagn Pictures
PFF: Pierre Has the Juice with Video games on the Line
Amongst names like Maxx Crosby and Colston Loveland, Locker tucked Pierre’s title into his evaluation.
“Across 79 fourth-quarter coverage snaps, Pierre allowed just two receptions for 19 yards. He also recorded six of his nine pass breakups during fourth quarters. His fourth-quarter PFF coverage grade of 91.3 ranked first in the NFL and likely would have been even higher had he managed to keep both feet in bounds on a near interception against his current team, the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 4,” he wrote.
“Among the receivers targeted while covered by Pierre in the fourth quarter were Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr. and Jerry Jeudy. None managed to record a catch against him.”
Locker additionally known as out former Vikings defensive deal with Javon Hargrave for his late-game prowess. Hargrave now works for the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
A Small Pattern, however Vikings Will Take It
Seventy-nine snaps within the 4th Quarter isn’t a lot of a pattern, however his gloriousness throughout these alternatives is definitely higher than struggling within the 4th Quarter, for instance. The Vikings will welcome all comers in relation to clutch efficiency.
In reality, for the reason that daybreak of the Kevin O’Connell period in 2022, the Vikings have performed 44 video games determined by eight factors or much less, the second-most within the NFL behind the Atlanta Falcons. That’s proper. Sixty-four % of all Vikings video games within the final 4 seasons have been determined by one rating, happening the wire in a technique or one other.
If that pattern continues, nicely, Minnesota now has a James Pierre to assist shut out opposing pass-catchers.
The Numbers As a Complete
Pierre’s attraction begins with what the Vikings really wanted from their CB3. Minnesota wasn’t looking for a flashy participant or one other cornerback requiring intensive creativity. They wanted a seasoned skilled able to dealing with outdoors snaps, tackling successfully, speaking clearly, minimizing errors, and supporting the secondary, and to hedge the guess in case Byron Murphy Jr. or Isaiah Rodgers miss time as a consequence of harm. Pierre meets all these necessities.
Cincinnati Bengals huge receiver Ja’Marr Chase reaches for a landing catch forward of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre throughout Week 3 motion on Sept. 26, 2021, at Heinz Area in Pittsburgh. Chase helped Cincinnati construct a halftime lead with explosive performs towards the Steelers’ secondary, whereas Pierre defended one of many NFL’s fastest-rising younger receivers in a divisional showdown. Necessary Credit score: USA TODAY Sports activities
He logged almost 400 defensive snaps final season and earned a formidable total 86.8 PFF grade. Moreover, he allowed a passer ranking of simply 41.4, which Vikings followers will certainly recognize after the challenges with Jeff Okudah in 2025.
His background in Pittsburgh is one other important asset. Pierre spent six years underneath Mike Tomlin, and corners usually don’t final that lengthy in Pittsburgh with out good motive. The expertise provides Minnesota stable confidence in his capacity to adapt to Brian Flores’ defensive scheme.
Whereas his ceiling is evident — he turns 30 in September, so we shouldn’t anticipate him to turn out to be a celebrity at this stage in his profession — if he can ship one dependable season, it would justify the signing. Two or three can be a bonus. As a reliable veteran cornerback, he could also be precisely what the protection wants.
Free Agent EDGE Joey Bosa Will get the Nod
As a result of Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard, together with a Seventh-Spherical draft choose, to the Philadelphia Eagles in April for 2 Third-Rounders, the membership may have a free-agent EDGE rusher for depth earlier than the summer time ends.
Conveniently, Joey Bosa is offered, and — additionally conveniently — Bosa earned a spot on the clutch PFF listing.
Buffalo Payments defensive finish Joey Bosa stands on the sector earlier than going through the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 13, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Bosa entered the matchup as considered one of Buffalo’s premier pass-rushing veterans, bringing playoff expertise and edge strain to a Payments protection anticipated to compete close to the highest of the AFC as soon as once more. Necessary Credit score: Dale Zanine-Imagn Pictures
“There may not have been a bigger gap between early-game and late-game performance in 2025 than the one displayed by Joey Bosa. After several injury-shortened seasons, it is fair to wonder whether his peak years are behind him, yet he still looked like a game-changing pass rusher once the fourth quarter arrived,” Locker defined about Bosa’s late-game heroics.
“Bosa earned a modest 59.5 PFF grade across the first three quarters of games last season before erupting for a 91.8 PFF grade in fourth quarters and overtime. Of Bosa’s 54 total pressures in 2025, 23 came during fourth quarters or overtime, along with three of his five sacks. His pressure rate jumped dramatically from 11.2% through the first three quarters to 22.6% once the fourth quarter began. Only Aidan Hutchinson generated pressure at a higher rate in those situations.”
In concept, Minnesota may ink Bosa to a one- or two-year deal and make use of a duo of dazzling 4th Quarter demons.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
