The Colts will add a longtime starter to their cornerback corps. Former Vikings standout Xavier Rhodes agreed to a deal to join the Colts, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Rhodes’ new contract is worth around $5MM, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link).
A recent Vikings cap casualty, Rhodes secured a one-year Colts contract Thursday in a bid to re-establish his value. The seven-year veteran’s stock has dipped considerably since he signed a Minnesota extension in 2017. Rhodes, 30 in June, struggled for most of last season.
Despite cutting Rhodes with three seasons remaining on his contract, the Vikings tried to re-sign him, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Minnesota has now lost three former first-round corners, with Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander defecting to Cincinnati.
The Vikings, who used a 2013 first-round pick on Rhodes, gave their then-CB1 a five-year, $70MM pact in the summer of 2017. He earned first-team All-Pro acclaim that season, which came after a Pro Bowl 2016 when the Florida State product intercepted five passes.
Rhodes regressed fairly early over the course of his second contract, however. Despite being voted to the Pro Bowl as an alternate, Rhodes allowed a 127.8 passer rating last season. The Colts will aim to bring Rhodes closer to his top level next season.
This Rhodes addition comes less than a week after the Colts cut Pierre Desir a year after extending him. Rhodes will join a cornerback contingent that houses Rock Ya-Sin and standout slot man Kenny Moore.
Rad tad!
Wish he went to the Giants. Another cap casualty since they paid Cousins.
This is what the Cowboys will do after Jerry bends over out of desperation and pays Dak.
Paying Dak/Cooper has already cost Dallas Byron Jones, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg, but that’s ok because Dallas is a legit SB contender. Right?
Yes “Cap casualty” but it was a fully justifiable one since he played so poorly last season. I believe he would have been cut even if the Vikings had cap room to spare.
It’s a potential move. Rhodes has talent but he played poorly for a year. The Colts lack the talent at that spot and are taking a calculated risk in a year where they are clearly going for it with Rivers on a one year deal.
I agree that they paid Cousins too much. Having said that if you watched a Viking game you would have seen how terrible Rhodes was. Every big play he is in the replay about ten yards back he was gone either way.
I noticed that with Desir. Showing DeAndre Hopkins highlights seemed to be Hopkins 10 yards from Desir; so I was glad they cut him. Hopefully the Colts can draft a couple corners in the 3-7 rounds.
Always was an Xman fan, absolute shame he fell off so badly. I hope he can turn his career around and return to at least be a serviceable corner for the Colts.
Sin Moore and Rhodes is a nice backfield with Buckner in close. Good move
With Leonard in the middle and rock ya sun going into year 2 heck yeah
Would have loved to see the eagles grab him with slay but they are too in love with their former insurance/car salesmen. Seeing Diggs and him go, you could point to him needing a “change of scenery”. Hope so.
Alexander wasn’t a first round draft pick.
CORRECT !!
Second Round, Pick #54 in the 2016 NFL Draft.
5M, hard to believe a lot of other DB needy teams weren’t in on that.