Just-Released Viking Signs with Panthers
Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.
The Akayleb Evans era in Minneapolis is formally over.
Just-Released Viking Signs with Panthers
The young cornerback, dropped the Minnesota Vikings last weekend, has been claimed by the Carolina Panthers, and Evans will script his careerâs second chapter in the NFC South.
Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports.
The Panthersâ main social media team straightforwardly tweeted Monday, âPanthers claim cornerback off waivers.â
The Vikings activated tight end Nick Muse before Sundayâs win over the Chicago Bears, and Evans was apparently the 53rd man on the 53-man roster. Itâs also worth noting that the Vikings waived Muse, too, on Monday.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
These are the Vikingsâ cornerbacks without Evans:
Stephon Gilmore
Byron Murphy
Shaquill Griffin
Mekhi Blackmon (IR)
Fabian Moreau
Dwight McGlothern
NaJee Thompson (IR)
Nahshon Wright (Practice Squad)
Minnesotaâs defense ranks first in the NFL per EPA/Play through 12 weeks, so the organization has not floundered with Evans on the sideline. He played just three defensive snaps in 2024 and saw the field for 83 special teams transactions.
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports.
The 25-year-old notably started 15 games for the Vikings in 2023, meaning his waiver wasnât some anonymous player on his way out. Not long ago, many theorized Evans as a long-term solution at cornerback. No cigar.
Evans tallied a poor 54.9 Pro Football Focus Grade last season, along with a 120.4 passer-rating-against. When Minnesota signed Shaquill Griffin and Stephon Gilmore during the offseason, that turned out to be the nail in the coffin of Evansâ employment.
In 2022, Evans entered a game against the Washington Commanders as a rookie and immediately made an impact. He continued to show flashes of promise that season, but a regression soon hit in 2023.
This 2022 Vikings draft class is a frequent source of criticism â and for good reason:
S Lewis Cine (Cut)
CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Traded)
OG Ed Ingram (RG2)
LB Brian Asamoah (Special Teams)
CB Akayleb Evans (Cut)
DL Esezi Otomewo (Cut)
Ty Chandler (RB3)
OT Vederian Lowe (Traded)
WR Jalen Nailor (WR3)
TE Nick Muse (TE4)
The Vikings next play the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday and are favored to win by three or four points.
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Carolinaâs defense ranks 31st per EPA/Play through 12 weeks, so Evans may reside in a spot where heâll see some playing time. These are the Panthersâ cornerbacks with the Evans addition:
Jaycee Horn
Mike Jackson
Caleb Farley
Shemar Bartholomew
Dane Jackson
Chau Smith-Wade
Lonnie Johnson
Anthony Brown (IR)
Carolina is approaching mathematical elimination from playoff contendership.
The Panthers also employ former Vikings players Mike Boone (RB), Dan Chisena (WR), Adam Thielen (WR), D.J. Wonnum (EDGE), and Xavier Woods (S).
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, âThe Sopranos,â Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.Â
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
