Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota Vikings. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
After spending the last seven seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Pro Bowl cornerback Xavier Rhodes is joining the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year deal.
Cornerback Xavier Rhodes was a three-time Pro Bowler and a 2017 First-Team All-Pro during his seven years with the Minnesota Vikings. Even though the team drafted him in the first round out of Florida State in 2013, Rhodes will not be returning to the Twin Cities on a new contract.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rhodes is signing a one-year deal to play for the Indianapolis Colts in 2020. Rhodes had a great year with the Vikings in 2017 but is coming off two disappointing years in Minnesota. He was released by the team shortly before free agency. While the Vikings wanted to bring him back, Rhodes has bet on himself with this a one-year deal.
Once Indianapolis parted ways with Pierre Desir in free agency, it was only a matter of time before the Colts brought in a veteran defensive back to offset this loss. For the Vikings, they have lost plenty of great players this offseason and Rhodes is now the latest to not officially be coming back.
Here are the contract details, the national reaction and a grade for Rhodes going to the Colts.
Contract Details
Per Schefter, this is a one-year deal for Rhodes to go to the Colts. He will be entering free agency again this time next year. While the details of his new contract with Indianapolis have not been revealed, they will be updated here as soon as they are revealed to the public.
National Reaction
The feelings about this signing are mixed from a Vikings’ perspective. Even though he routinely got burnt like toast in the defensive backfield in recent years, it is a tad alarming how many players have left the Twin Cities this offseason after they extended quarterback Kirk Cousins.
From an Indianapolis standout, you have to love a former Pro Bowl player on a prove-it deal playing on a team with major playoff aspirations. Along with the Tennessee Titans, the Colts have to be the favorites to win the AFC South next year. Though it has been years since the Colts won the division, perhaps Rhodes can be a difference-maker for them in the back-end of the defense?