Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
If there was a reason to avoid extending general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah it would be his lackluster track record in the NFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings are largely built to win now after going gangbusters in free agency this offseason.
The problem with that strategy is Adofo-Mensah needed to find aging veterans to fill holes he was unable to with developmental picks. Among the biggest missteps of his career was selecting Lewis Cine in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He has hardly played, and bounced around plenty, but a recent workout brought his name back up in league circles.
Patriots bring in former MN Vikings safety Lewis Cine
Lewis Cine was cut in August by the Philadelphia Eagles when they signed Sam Howell. He then had a tryout with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this month but went unsigned. His most recent exposure was a workout with New England on Tuesday.
The Patriots had free-agent DBs Marcus Banks (Mississippi State), Lewis Cine (Georgia) and Tre Hawkins (Old Dominion) in for tryouts.
Cine (Vikings, Bills, Eagles) has local roots from Everett, Mass.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 21, 2025
Cine was drafted out of Georgia and finished his prep career in Texas, but he began his prep career in Massachusetts, so he has familiarity to the area. The Patriots worked out three defensive backs on Tuesday and presumably are looking for just one addition.
In two seasons with the Vikings, Cine played just ten defensive snaps. He suffered a gruesome injury against the New Orleans Saints in London and his career has never been the same. With Buffalo in 2024, Cine didn’t see the field on defense, but logged 16 special teams snaps.
Cine was activated from the Eagles practice squad on January 8, 2025. Philadelphia went on to win the Super Bowl last season but Cine never saw action.
If the Patriots offer Cine a contract, and he sees the field, it will be his first action since December 8, 2024. He is still just 26 years old.
The Minnesota Vikings traded back from the 12th overall pick in 2022 to select Cine 32nd overall. In the process they passed on All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton.
Mentioned in this article: Lewis Cine
More About: Minnesota Vikings
Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.