MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings attempted to shore up their defensive backfield Monday with the signing of a player who is well-known to Brian Flores.
Bobby McCain played for the Vikings defensive coordinator when Flores was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
McCain is entering his 10th season in the NFL, having played in 132 games with the Dolphins, Washington Commanders, and New York Giants.
McCain, who is 5'9" and weighs 196 pounds, has played both safety and cornerback. He turns 31 on Aug. 18.
McCain was selected in the fifth round (145th overall) by the Dolphins in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The former Memphis Tiger spent six seasons with the Dolphins.
McCain then signed with the Washington Commanders and played two seasons.
He is a native of Sylacauga, Alabama.
McCain took the roster spot of kicker John Parker Romo, who was waived on Monday.
The Vikings' defensive backfield is lacking in depth after losing Mekhi Blackmon to a season-ending ACL injury.
Placing Blackmon on IR creates even more concern about a position group that struggled last season. The Vikings are still grieving the death of rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson, who was killed in a car crash along with two friends earlier this summer in Maryland. Several coaches attended the funeral last Friday for the fourth-round draft pick out of Oregon.
Byron Murphy Jr. is back at one starting spot and eighth-year veteran Shaq Griffin signed as a free agent. But with Blackmon sidelined and the loss of Jackson, the cornerback group appears particularly vulnerable coming off a season when the Vikings' pass coverage faltered down the stretch.
Duke Shelley was signed last week for depth and experience. Akayleb Evans is back after starting 15 games, but he struggled down the stretch. Andrew Booth Jr., who was from the same underperforming 2022 draft class as Evans, is another option who has yet to prove he can stay healthy and contribute regularly. Last week, the team also announced the signing of second-year cornerback Jacobi Francis.
