The Vikings continued to add to their defensive backfield on Monday by bringing one of Brian Flores’ former players to Minnesota. To make room on their roster, they let go of their second kicker.
The team signed defensive back Bobby McCain, who started 23 games at safety for the Dolphins between 2019-20 while Flores was the head coach there.
McCain, who’s entering his 10th NFL season, had played cornerback through his first four seasons with the Dolphins until Flores became their head coach in 2019. He moved to safety, and Flores said the 30-year-old will begin his time with the Vikings there.
But he said McCain could play in the slot, where he’d spent most of his time as a corner, “or you may see him matched up on certain guys.” Flores praised McCain’s energy, intellect and versatility — three of the traits the defensive coordinator prizes the most.
“Even on Day 1, with a vet guy like that, there’s just a conceptual understanding of things any defense does, or can do,” Flores said. “He’s already got a pretty good feel, and we’ll see some of that today.”
McCain took the roster spot of kicker John Parker Romo, who had been battling sixth-round pick Will Reichard for the kicking job. Hours after signing with the Vikings, McCain was on the field for the team’s first padded practice.
“Some of the guys were asking, like, ‘Man, they didn’t give you no ramp-up?’ But that’s what I wanted,” McCain said. “I wanted to just get right to it. Year 10, it’s a blessing, just playing football.”
Note on Flores getting to press
Article 21, Section 2(c)(iii) of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement permits cornerbacks to contact receivers and simulate press coverage during organized team activities each spring, “provided the defensive player does not impede the receiver or alter his route and no live contact occurs.”