Mike Zimmer comments on Bashaud Breeland’s awful Week 1 debut

Starting for his fourth NFL team, Vikings CB Bashaud Breeland struggled in his Week 1 debut against the Bengals, but coach Mike Zimmer insists he’s fine. 

Bashaud Breeland hasn’t exactly had it easy. The former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback was let go this offseason, partially due to a previously undisclosed shoulder injury from 2020.

“I ended up having surgery on my shoulder after the season in Kansas City,” Breeland said. “So it kind of slowed my free agency up.”

That’s not the only thing that Breeland’s shoulder slowed up this year: it also seems to be what the Vikings team believes slowed up his performance in Week 1. To the chagrin of Vikings fans everywhere, Breeland allowed embarrassing receptions in a pitiful loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Despite Zimmer’s vote of confidence, Twitter didn’t exactly agree that the veteran cornerback would be “all right” after today’s subpar performance.

Breeland was torched this afternoon by rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who connected with his former LSU teammate Joe Burrow for a 50-yard touchdown.

Breeland was burned once again by Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who tricked him on an out route that had Breeland clutching his ankles.

Breeland’s play, along with a reckless DPI call, put the Vikings in an impossible position to win the game. Bashaud Breeland and Patrick Peterson, who were both picked up this season in free agency, were the most penalized cornerbacks in the NFL last year.

As it is his first game with a new team, perhaps Breeland could mesh with the defense and make better reads that result in interceptions and turnovers. Now entering his eighth NFL season, Bashaud Breeland has 14 interceptions, 81 passes defended, 8 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries and 376 total tackles. During his two years with the Chiefs, Breeland recorded 4 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries while winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2019.