Bashaud

Breeland

Breeland, 29, was cut by Minnesota last week after starting the first 13 games of the season. He was axed after getting into it with some coaches. Breeland gives the playoff-bound Cardinals experience on the outside with 101 career starts and a Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs two seasons back.

Breeland was waived after getting into a verbal altercation with coaches and several teammates, at one point removing his cleats. Breeland is subject to waivers and if he clears waivers this week will become a free agent. Breeland was a starting cornerback for the Vikings and creates a hole in their secondary just two days before playing the Bears on MNF. Breeland was on a one-year deal, so his release won’t have ramifications for the Vikings beyond this season.

A player appeared to step on Breeland’s shin, breaking the skin and requiring medical attention from Vikings trainers. Apparently he suffered a groin injury on the play. Breeland is the latest Minnesota defender to miss time. His absence could be a boon for Marquise Brown and the Ravens pass catchers.

Breeland started 11 games for the Chiefs last season, grading out as PFF’s No. 57 corner. He returns to the NFC North after spending the past two years in Kansas City. The Vikings have been aggressive in upgrading their secondary this offseason, signing free agents Patrick Peterson, Tye Smith, and Mackensie Alexander. With 2020 first-round CB Jeff Gladney likely to be suspended, Breeland and Peterson should start in base sets.

Breeland recently visited the Vikings. 29-year-old Breeland was a decent contributor for the Chiefs last season, though like much of the team, he had a rough Super Bowl in Tampa. Experience is Breeland’s primary selling point at this stage of his career.

Once again an every-down player this season, Breeland has one week to get cleared for the AFC Championship Game against the Bills. It’s a position where the Chiefs actually have a little depth, but it would still be a big loss against an imposing Bills passing attack.

Breeland’s return comes with L’Jarius Sneed (collarbone) on injured reserve. An every-down player last season, Breeland could need to be eased back in, but he should quickly reclaim heavy snaps. Second-year pro Rashad Fenton has been excellent so far this season, however, while Charvarius Ward has been strong. Tyrann Mathieu patrols the slot.

This could explain why Breeland was on the open market as a free agent until the second week of April despite being a heavy contributor for the Super Bowl champs. He settled for a one-year, $4.5 million deal. Breeland is appealing the four-game ban, which has a shot to be reduced following the new CBA agreement and subsequent relaxation of the substance-abuse policy. Still, Breeland could face even more discipline resulting from his Tuesday arrest in South Carolina.

Breeland, re-signed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract earlier this month, is facing five charges — resisting arrest, transporting alcohol in a motor vehicle with the seal broken, open container of beer or wine in a motor vehicle, possession of 28 grams or less of marijuana or 10 grams of hash, and driving without a license. The Chiefs are aware of the situation but have yet to comment on the matter, per multiple reports. As of Tuesday night, the 28-year-old was still in custody without a set bond. We’ll have more on this developing story as it unfolds.

Breeland nabbed an interception in the Super Bowl, although the rest of the season was largely more bad than good. Overall, PFF graded him as the league’s No. 120 overall CB among 132 qualified players. Of course, there’s something to be said for continuity and room for improvement inside of the same scheme. The Chiefs appear to largely be re-racking the same squad from last season in an attempt to replicate the same resounding success.