Ranked highly on PFR’s top 50 free agents list in 2023, Byron Murphy took a middle-class deal to position himself for a better 2025 payday. After playing out his two-year Vikings contract, the former second-round pick will look to cash in again.
The Cardinals draftee played an integral role on Brian Flores’ defenses over the past two seasons, Murphy started all 31 Minnesota games he played and intercepted nine passes in that span. Six of those came last season, helping the versatile defender set himself up for another payday. At 27, Murphy should be able to command one on a market light on proven corners seeking second contracts.
Indeed, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler offers that Murphy is looking for a significant raise on this year’s market. Murphy played out a two-year, $17.5MM deal last season. The 5-foot-11 defender earned his first Pro Bowl nod this past season; that came with a starter designation. Pro Football Focus ranked Murphy as a top-25 corner in 2024, as he improved on yards per target (7.2) and passer rating allowed as the closest defender (76.7) compared to his first Minnesota season.
The top free agent corners this year join Murphy in going through free agency for a second time. D.J. Reed, Carlton Davis and Charvarius Ward are in that camp. That trio, however, played out three-year deals. Murphy having inked a two-year pact with the Vikes may well give him a advantage this time around, as he will have an age-27 season to market. Davis, Reed and Ward will all turn 29 in 2025.
Chidobe Awuzie did quite well as third-contract-seeking corner last year, securing a three-year Titans deal worth $36MM ($19MM guaranteed at signing). Awuzie going down early in the year may not help the 2025 batch of veteran CBs, but Murphy has missed more than three games in a season just once (2022). And he still commanded a quality FA deal on the heels of it. With 22 corners tied to eight-figure AAVs, Murphy can expect to join that list.
Elsewhere in the Vikings’ secondary, Camryn Bynum — a starting safety and key cog in the defense’s myriad post-turnover dance choreography efforts — is out of contract as well. This will be Bynum’s first shot at free agency, even though he is only a few months younger than Murphy. As such, this will be a pivotal offseason for the 26-year-old defender. PFF viewed Bynum as taking a step back in his contract year, ranking him outside the top 60 after a 21st-place assessment in 2023. Though, Bynum has been durable (51 starts since 2022) and has intercepted eight passes on his rookie deal. Bynum also forced three fumbles in 2023.
The Vikings discussed an extension with Bynum before last season, and while nothing came to pass, Fowler indicates both sides remain open to it — to the point a re-up before free agency could be in play. Free agents-to-be can discuss terms with other teams beginning with the legal tampering period March 10, with deals becoming official when the 2025 league year begins March 12.
Murphy and Bynum represent two important dominoes for the Vikings, who have missed on some draft investments (Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth) in recent years. The Vikings have Josh Metellus signed for one more season, at a team-friendly rate (two years, $8MM), but used veteran stopgap Stephon Gilmore as Murphy’s tandem partner outside. With Harrison Smith going into an age-36 season, the Vikings have major questions to answer soon.
The Murphy and Bynum free agencies will be critical to determining the team’s 2025 DB outlook. Minnesota is projected to hold more than $58MM in cap space. It would seem likely the Vikes will attempt to get by without a $40MM-plus Sam Darnold franchise tag going on the books, though no call has been made there. Such a decision would impact how the team proceeds in the secondary.
Can’t lose Bynum, his dance moves alone make him irreplaceable.
Kind of sad that after only one good year under their belt they look for huge pay day. I get it that it could be the one and only chance for a big contract. I am not saying Murphy should take a lowball deal either. It just sucks that there is no loyalty between player and owner and why this is the case all the time.