The news that free agent cornerback Antoine Winfield is expected to visit the Seahawks this week has led Vikings coach Leslie Frazier to reiterate to Winfield that he’s wanted back in Minnesota.
Frazier told the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Sunday that he has regularly called and texted Winfield in the four weeks since the Vikings released him, just to let him know that they would still like to have him on the team if they can come to terms on a new contract.
“We’re all human,” Frazier said. “We all like to know we’re wanted. I’ve tried to make that clear to him. I’ll let him know, ‘If you’ve got any questions, you know how to reach me.'”
Winfield, who will turn 36 in June, may not be quite the same player as he was in his prime, but he’s still good enough that at least three teams — the Vikings, Seahawks and Redskins — are known to be interested in his services.
“I don’t know what direction he’s leaning, but I’m hoping he’ll come back and be a Viking,” Frazier said.
The Vikings are likely to address their secondary needs in the draft regardless of whether they’ve reached a deal with Winfield.
“With or without Antoine, we would have to look at bringing some guys in, in this draft,” Frazier said.
But that need will become greater if Frazier can’t convince Winfield to come back.