EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings have added another 158 starts to their secondary after signing cornerback Stephon Gilmore Monday.
The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro joins Minnesota for a 13th NFL season after starting all 17 games he played for Dallas in 2023.
The 10th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, Gilmore has 31 career interceptions and has been credited with 140 passes defensed, including six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and 20 passes defensed for New England in 2019, when he earned Defensive Player of the Year honors from The Associated Press.
Additionally, Minnesota signed receiver Justin Hall, who entered the NFL in 2022 by signing as an undrafted free agent with the Raiders. He spent that training camp with Las Vegas until the end of August 2022 when he was released during roster reductions.
To make room for Gilmore and Hall on the roster, Minnesota waived punter Seth Vernon and receiver Ty James. Vernon had been competing against third-year pro Ryan Wright. James joined Minnesota this spring as an undrafted free agent.
View photos of Vikings CB Stephon Gilmore who signed with the team on Aug. 18.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) gestures on the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec 24, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) is seen during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 45-10. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) defends from the secondary during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Dallas, Texas (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) reacts after making a tackle on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) on a fourth-down play during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore (21) looks to defend during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore (21) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) defends during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) breaks up a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orchard Park, NY. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) defends against Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orchard Park, NY. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orchard Park, NY. Bills defeated the Cowboys 31-10.(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore (21) looks to defend during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore (21) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) runs during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, January 7, 2024 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore (21) during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Gilmore, who will turn 34 in September, began his career with the Buffalo Bills, overlapping with Vikings Assistant Head Coach Mike Pettine in 2013 when Pettine was Buffalo's defensive coordinator. After five seasons with the Bills, Gilmore joined the Patriots for four seasons and helped New England win Super Bowl LIII, nabbing an interception in the 13-3 win over the Rams.
Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores handled play-calling duties and coached linebackers for the Patriots during that 2018 season.
Gilmore joined Carolina in 2021 before heading to Indianapolis in 2022.
He started all 16 games he played for the Colts that season before joining the Cowboys.
The addition of Gilmore follows a series of moves the Vikings have made to add to their secondary.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of December 3, 2024.
3 WR Jordan Addison
3 WR Jordan Addison
RB Cam Akers
RB Cam Akers
6 LB Brian Asamoah II
6 LB Brian Asamoah II
56 C Garrett Bradbury
56 C Garrett Bradbury
64 G Blake Brandel
64 G Blake Brandel
90 DL Jonathan Bullard
90 DL Jonathan Bullard
24 S Camryn Bynum
24 S Camryn Bynum
51 LB Blake Cashman
51 LB Blake Cashman
32 RB Ty Chandler
32 RB Ty Chandler
14 QB Sam Darnold
QB Sam Darnold
LB Jamin Davis
LB Jamin Davis
69 C/G Dan Feeney
69 C Dan Feeney
2 CB Stephon Gilmore
2 CB Stephon Gilmore
58 OLB Jonathan Greenard
58 OLB Jonathan Greenard
1 CB Shaq Griffin
1 CB Shaq Griffin
54 LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
54 LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
30 FB C.J. Ham
30 FB C.J. Ham
87 TE TJ Hockenson
87 TE T.J. Hockenson
67 G Ed Ingram
67 G Ed Ingram
26 S Theo Jackson
26 S Theo Jackson
18 WR Justin Jefferson
18 WR Justin Jefferson
33 RB Aaron Jones
33 RB Aaron Jones
91 OLB Pat Jones II
91 OLB Pat Jones II
65 OL Michael Jurgens
65 G Michael Jurgens
29 CB Dwight McGlothern
29 CB Dwight McGlothern
44 S Josh Metellus
44 S Joshua Metellus
23 CB Fabian Moreau
23 CB Fabian Moreau
12 QB Nick Mullens
12 QB Nick Mullens
86 TE Johnny Mundt
86 TE Johnny Mundt
7 CB Byron Murphy
7 CB Byron Murphy Jr.
83 WR Jalen Nailor
83 WR Jalen Nailor
75 T Brian O'Neill
75 T Brian O'Neill
84 TE Josh Oliver
84 TE Josh Oliver
57 DL Harrison Phillips
97 DL Harrison Phillips
4 WR Brandon Powell
4 WR Brandon Powell
76 T David Quessenberry
76 T David Quessenberry
61 DL Jalen Redmond
61 DL Jalen Redmond
98 OLB Bo Richter
98 OLB Bo Richter
66 G Dalton Risner
66 G Dalton Risner
T Cam Robinson
T Cam Robinson
50 DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
96 K John Parker Romo
96 K John Parker Romo
78 T Walter Rouse
78 T Walter Rouse
19 QB Brett Rypien
19 QB Brett Rypien
11 WR Trent Sherfield Sr.
11 WR Trent Sherfield Sr.
22 S Harrison Smith
22 S Harrison Smith
99 DL Jerry Tillery
99 DL Jerry Tillery
15 OLB Dallas Turner
15 OLB Dallas Turner
43 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
43 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
20 S Jay Ward
20 S Jay Ward
52 OLB Jihad Ward
52 OLB Jihad Ward
17 P Ryan Wright
17 P Ryan Wright
On Aug. 9, the Vikings traded cornerback Andrew Booth, Jr., to Dallas for cornerback Nahshon Wright.
Since Vikings Training Camp opened, Minnesota has added CB Fabian Moreau, DB Bobby McCain, CB Jacobi Francis and CB Duke Shelley.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who is a cousin of Wright, was placed on Injured Reserve on July 25, a day after suffering a torn ACL.
The Vikings also are dealing with the passing of cornerback Khyree Jackson in a July 6 automobile accident. Jackson was honored at the Vikings preseason opener against the Raiders on Aug. 10.
Hall played college football at Ball State from 2017-21 and recorded school records of 318 receptions and 3,385 yards. His 18 receiving touchdowns rank eighth in program history.
Additionally, Hall rushed for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns on 122 carries and handled punt and kick return duties. He returned 36 kickoffs a total of 939 yards with one score and returned 21 punts for 170 more yards.
Most recently, Hall played for the UFL's Houston Roughnecks. He recorded 47 catches for 515 yards and four touchdowns during the 2024 season.
A native of Douglasville, Georgia, he played at Alexander High School and was a two-time First-Team All-State honoree as a receiver and kick returner. As a senior, he racked up 74 receptions for 987 yards and 11 touchdowns, in addition to four rushing scores and one kickoff returned for a touchdown.
