Ex-Viking in Tricky Spot After Latest Release

The Minnesota Vikings have had their share of whiffs in the draft and one of the most notable came in 2020. The draft wasn’t completely fruitless as the Vikings landed Justin Jefferson in the first round and key contributors such as Blake Brandel and Josh Metellus in the later rounds. But with an NFL-record 15 selections, the overall hit rate doesn’t make up for the home runs.

It’s one of the reasons why general manager Rick Spielman was fired after the 2021 season, but it gives some former Vikings a notable introduction to the NFL. One former Vikings defender was served his walking papers after failing to latch on with another team this week and finds himself in a tricky spot after his latest release.

Former Vikings CB Cameron Dantzler Is Once Again Looking for a New Team

Former Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler is a free agent again after his release from the Miami Dolphins earlier this week. Dantzler didn’t have great odds of landing an active roster spot as he signed with Miami on Aug. 19 and had just one preseason game to show his worth. But the outcome was frustrating enough that Dantzler had to vent on his X account on Tuesday afternoon.

“Haha my first 2 season w/ Vikings it was locks. I gave up a few plays, yes, but that’s every NFL DB,” Dantzler wrote. “But my 3rd year I don’t recall giving up nothing honestly…people still living in the [Mike Zimmer] era. That was a whole 2-3 years ago.”

Dantzler’s career got off to a promising start under head coach Mike Zimmer in 2020, allowing 43 receptions for 498 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions and two pass deflections on 67 targets according to Pro Football Focus. He even showed some improvement in his second season, allowing 33 receptions for 311 yards, two touchdowns, with an interception and six pass defenses in 2021.

But things unraveled during the 2022 season. While the defense struggled as a whole, Dantzler wasn’t part of the solution, allowing 39 catches for 396 yards, two touchdowns, with no interceptions and five pass breakups on 50 targets. Dantzler was released the following offseason and spent a short time with the Washington Commanders before getting released in May and released again due to a hamstring injury after signing with the Buffalo Bills.

Dantzler went on to appear in two games with the New Orleans Saints later that season, but hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since. He played for the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas and was part of the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats practice roster in 2024 before returning to the UFL with the Memphis Showboats this spring.

Now released by the Dolphins, Dantzler is still looking for a team for the upcoming season. While he re-posted some of his old Vikings highlights and the news of the Thielen trade on his X account, a reunion with the Vikings seems unlikely, even as he vouches for another opportunity.

“I was never healthy fr, a bad pro, young and dumb, prideful, went away from God, etc. That’s why I’m not where I should be,” Dantzler wrote. “But God showed me a lot and I’m thankful and blessed for it all. I thank all my fans and I thank all my haters. God bless!!!”

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