Bashaud Breeland reveals shoulder surgery held up free agency

Former K.C. Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland found a new home in free agency earlier this month when he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. The fact that it took several months for Breeland to find a home, however, was a bit of a head-scratcher for many fans who wondered why he was still sitting there available on the open market.

It turns out that Breeland underwent shoulder surgery this past winter, shortly after the season, he said, which affected his timeline in free agency. That makes sense given that Breeland has been a very solid veteran corner who seemed likelier to find a home earlier than other available defensive backs.

Breeland explained his injury and timeline to reporters in Minnesota at his introductory presser with the Vikings.

Bashaud Breeland explained a few things at his Vikings introductory presser.

“I ended up having surgery on my shoulder after the season in Kansas City, so it kind of slowed my free agency up. During that time, I was allowed to really focus on myself. It really wasn’t about ball. It was about Breezy at the time. I knew this time would come and I’m fired up to get started.”

Breeland’s availability was still a bit of a mystery given how strong he looked in three quarters of a season with the Chiefs. He comes with championship experience and a very physical playing style that helped the Chiefs succeed in coverage after he started the season with a four-game suspension. Breeland credited his continuity for his improvement last year.

“Last year was my first year really in a system where all coaches, all the players that I played with… during my time in my career, I was plugged in with different players, plugged in with different coaches, so different coaches have different methods,” said Breeland. “I was finally able to hone in on one method. So last year I will say I was the most comfortable in my career during that time because of those aspects.”

In the end, the Chiefs decided to go with a cadre of younger options rather than bring in back Breezy on another one-year deal, which turned into a fortunate development for Minnesota. For a mere single season commitment of $4 million, the Vikings have added a veteran corner still in his prime to a remade unit that also imported Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander.