One of the best defenses in the NFL is on the verge of getting even better, as the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly expected to sign veteran defensive back George Iloka.
Iloka, who was shockingly released by the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, is scheduled to visit with the Vikings on Wednesday. According to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the two sides expect to reach a contract agreement.
Whoa. Free-agent safety George Iloka is on his way to Minnesota, and it appears likely he signs with the #Vikings today, per @RapSheet and me. Mike Zimmer connection from #Bengals days. One of the NFL’s best defenses about to get even better?
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 22, 2018
The Vikings already have one of the better safety duos in the league with Harrison Smith and Andrew Sendejo, and Pelissero notes that signing Iloka would not necessarily mean one of the aforementioned players is on borrowed time in Minnesota. Iloka played under Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer when Zimmer was the defensive coordinator with the Bengals, so the veteran has some familiarity with the system.
Iloka has received interest from at least one other team, and it’s no surprise he isn’t going to be a free agent for long. He’s been one of the most reliable players in football for several seasons, and the Bengals’ decision to cut him seems like it was strictly a financial move.
