Rivalry Between New Minnesota Vikings Cornerback and Three-Time All-Pro
published initially on Minnesota Sports Fan
Ever since Xavier Rhodes joined the team in 2019, the Minnesota Vikings have not had a Pro Bowl cornerback. Prior to Rhodes, the last Vikings cornerback to be named to the Pro Bowl dates all the way back to 2010.
However, Minnesota has subsequently seen a number of other well-known players start in the secondary, such as three-time All-Pro Patrick Peterson, who only failed to win those awards during his two-year (2021–2022) stay with the Vikings. However, it doesn’t mean the younger players in the locker room, who were smitten with the future Hall of Famer, weren’t affected by his arrival.
Among the players Peterson had a lasting effect on was Josh Metellus. With 154 games of starting experience, the young safety was about to go on his second season in 2021 when Peterson came. Even though Peterson is no longer with the Vikings, Brian Flores’ defense gained another seasoned veteran this offseason thanks to GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, and Metellus says he’s already having an effect.
Shaquill Griffin with the Minnesota Vikings equals Patrick Peterson?
Amid the recent piece by Alec Lewis from The Athletic, the beat reporter covering the Vikings went into detail about the fierce, competitive spirit that Griffin is bringing to Minnesota’s secondary. It was reported this past Thursday that Griffin was observed “jawing” with Justin Jefferson after an incompletion during 7-on-7 drills. As Lewis said, the 28-year-old cornerback was having a great time throughout the game and his “confidence is unmistakable.”
Metellus understands that the secondary needs more of this exact thing.
It almost makes me feel the same way Patrick Peterson did when he first entered the structure. He’s a football enthusiast who is sharing some interesting anecdotes with us, particularly about the young men in the corner room.
Josh Metellus on the Minnesota Vikings’ impact from Shaquill Griffin
Despite not having any All-Pro honors, Griffin was selected to a Pro Bowl squad in 2019. He also adds experience to the Vikings secondary, which is still developing and hasn’t established its position behind Byron Murphy, with 89 games played (79 starts).
Furthermore, Griffin, who is 28 years old, is at the peak of his athletic ability, while Peterson, who is 31, was acquired by the Vikings. The only unanswered question is if he can regain the almost elite level of performance he showed while playing for the Seahawks.
The team’s 24th-ranked passing defense from the previous season may improve if Griffin can establish himself as an above-average cornerback in addition to Flores’ ability to call plays and position players.
