Colts Add Former Vikings Standout

Nov 24, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A black Indianapolis Colts helmet sits on the turf during a game against the Detroit Lion at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.

Former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Duke Shelley is unemployed no more.

The Colts have signed former Vikings CB Duke Shelley as part of a series of roster transactions. Here’s what he brings to Indianapolis and how he could factor into 2025.

The beloved ex-Viking will try the Indianapolis Colts on for size, joining Shane Steichen’s team on Thursday. Now, the 28-year-old will fight to stay on the roster for the long haul.

Here’s the latest.

Treasured Former Vikings CB Lands in Indy

Shelley will get a fair shake at training camp and in the preseason to make the 53-man roster.

Minnesota cornerback D. Shelley (20) breaks up a crucial fourth-quarter pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) at U.S. Bank Stadium. Captured on December 24, 2022, the play helped preserve a tight MIN win late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Duke Shelley to the Colts

Minnesota actually signed Shelley around this time last year, but he failed to make the 53-man cutoff at the end of August. He faces a similar arrangement in Indianapolis.

NBC Sports‘ Myles Simmons wrote, “The Colts have made a series of roster moves on Thursday. Indianapolis announced the club has signed cornerback Tre Herndon and cornerback Duke Shelley. As corresponding moves, the team has placed cornerback David Long Jr. on injured reserve and released tight end Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.“

“Herndon, 29, has appeared in 84 career games with 34 starts. While he played 16 games for Jacksonville in 2023, he appeared in just one contest for New Orleans last year. Shelley, 28, also appeared in just one game last season for the Giants. A Bears sixth-round pick in 2019, he’s played 53 games with 11 starts for the Bears, Vikings, Rams, and Giants.”

And just like that, Shelley is back in the NFL mix.

A Battle for a Roster Spot

Let’s be clear: Shelley won’t be handed a regular season roster spot. The hard part is in front of him.

General manager Chris Ballard drafted corner Justin Walley in April from Round 3, and he’s tentatively on track to start, at least per the current depth chart. Shelley acts as insurance in case Walley isn’t game-ready as a rookie.

Minnesota cornerback D. Shelley (29) walks off the field following a preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Captured on August 10, 2024, the image shows Shelley’s latest stint with Minnesota as he competed for a roster spot. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Indianapolis could also just promote a veteran like Juju Brents or Jaylon Jones and call it good. Stay tuned.

His Short but Fantastic Stint with the Vikings

For a single season, Shelley played like a sure-fire Pro Bowler in Minnesota.

Out of nowhere in 2022, he became a lockdown corner in Ed Donatell’s 2022 defense, ranking fourth among all cornerbacks that season per Pro Football Focus‘ grading system. Shelley was remarkable and rapidly shapeshifted into a fan favorite.

Los Angeles Rams defensive back D. Shelley (26) lines up during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Captured on November 5, 2023, the image highlights Shelley’s time with the Rams as part of a midseason secondary rotation. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports.

Curiously, though, Minnesota’s brass has no appetite to see more from Shelley in a sequel capacity. He’s bounced around the NFL since. Here’s his career resume:

Chicago Bears (2019–2021)

Minnesota Vikings (2022)

Las Vegas Raiders (2023)

Los Angeles Rams (2023)

Minnesota Vikings (2024)

New York Giants (2024)

Indianapolis Colts (2025–present)

Shelley played just 14 defensive snaps with the Giants last year, a paltry total.

Updated Colts CB Room

Here’s how Shelley fits in the Colts’ 2025 summer cornerback corps:

Charvarius Ward

Kenny Moore II

Justin Walley

JuJu Brents

Jaylon Jones

Samuel Womack III

Duke Shelley

Jonathan Edwards

Corey Ballentine

Alex Johnson

Tre Herndon

It’s worth noting that Indianapolis signed Shelley’s former Viking teammate Camryn Bynum, a safety, in March.

Janik Eckardt on Shelley

Our own Janik Eckardt remarked on Shelley Thursday, “The good news is that he has at least found a new employer for the upcoming preseason. In his legendary 2022 season, he played 12 games for the Vikings and logged six starts, including one postseason matchup.”

“In Week 18, he caught his first interception in the NFL. Shelley recorded 31 combined tackles and defended eight passes. In the legendary game against the Bills, Shelley broke up a pass intended for tight end Dawson Knox, who is over half a foot taller. In the comeback against the Colts, he logged multiple crucial stops in the passing game, allowing the Vikings to go record-hunting.”

Shelley will always be remembered fondly by purple fans.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback D. Shelley (23) pursues Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis (34) during a second-quarter run at AT&T Stadium. Captured on August 26, 2023, the image shows Shelley’s effort in preseason action during his stint with the Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports.

“He then bounced around, but has never found his footing elsewhere. In Indianapolis, he’ll meet an old friend: Cam Bynum. The safety also started in the 2022 campaign in Ed Donatell’s flawed defense,” Eckardt added.

“Shelley will turn 29 in October. He needs some good weeks in practice and a couple of decent preseason contests to make his case for a roster spot. Perhaps he can pick off Daniel Jones, another ex-Viking, in practice.”

Oddsmakers expect Indianapolis to win seven or eight games this season.