Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes: ‘I need to play better’

It’s not a secret that Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes has been underwhelming this season.

That was displayed on national TV on Monday night. Rhodes got torched for a deep touchdown, got called for unneccessary roughness and threw a temper tantrum on the sideline.

In season No. 7 for Rhodes, he has a Pro Football Focus grade of 47.6. That’s the worst mark of his career and a spot that ranks 116th among 123 graded cornerbacks in the NFL.

On Wednesday, Rhodes admitted that he does in fact have to play better.

#Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes: "I need to play it better. I need to play better out on that field, eliminate the penalties and just do well. … I'm never going to give up. I'm always a fighter, and that day is going to turn, that switch is going to flip, and when it does, it's over"

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 4, 2019

Rhodes is the seventh-highest paid cornerback in the NFL in 2019, making $10.9 million. There’s a pretty good chance that the Vikings either part ways or restructure Rhodes’ deal this offseason. Rhodes is due $10.5 million in 2020 and the Vikings can get out from that with a $4.8 million cap hit.

At only 29, the Vikings were hoping that Rhodes’ decline last season was just a blip. Now it seems like the norm.