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Camryn Bynum

Contract Details: Fries, Hargrave, Colts, Patriots, Seahawks, Dolphins, Bengals, Bills

March 14th, 2025 at 2:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest details from contracts agreed to during free agency:

  • Will Fries, G (Vikings). Five years, $87.72MM. Unlike other splashy Minnesota deals this week, Fries’ initial numbers were close to the true value. Fries will see $34MM guaranteed at signing. If he is on the Vikings’ roster by Day 3 of the 2027 league year, another $10MM becomes guaranteed, per OverTheCap. Up to $6MM in incentives are also included in this deal.
  • Camryn Bynum, S (Colts). Four years, $60MM. The ex-Viking will see $26MM at signing, per OverTheCap, while KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson adds $32MM is guaranteed in total. The remainder of that guarantee impacts Bynum’s 2026 and ’27 base salaries. Of Bynum’s 2026 salary ($10MM), $6MM is fully guaranteed. Of Bynum’s 2027 base ($13.47MM), $4MM is already guaranteed for injury. That $4MM will shift to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the league year, giving Bynum some advanced protection.
  • Carlton Davis, CB (Patriots). Three years, $54MM. This checks in $6MM south of the initial report, but Wilson notes Davis will still see $34.5MM at signing. Davis’ 2025 and 2026 base salaries are fully guaranteed, with a $15MM 2027 base nonguaranteed.
  • Javon Hargrave, DL (Vikings). Two years, $30MM. Minnesota is guaranteeing Hargrave $19MM at signing, while Wilson adds $4MM of the veteran DT’s $14.2MM 2026 base salary is already locked in. Hargrave’s full guarantee on a two-year deal nearly matches Jonathan Allen‘s ($23.26MM) on a three-year pact.
  • Ernest Jones, LB (Seahawks). Three years, $28.5MM. Jones will receive $10MM at signing and $15MM guaranteed in total. Of Jones’ $7.15MM 2026 base salary, Wilson notes $5MM is guaranteed for injury; that $5MM will shift to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2026 league year.
  • Mike Gesicki, TE (Bengals). Three years, $25.5MM. A $6.5MM signing bonus represents the full guarantee, as per usual for the Bengals’ non-quarterback deals (though, Cincinnati’s receivers may have something to say about this policy soon). A $2MM roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the 2026 league year, Wilson tweets.
  • James Daniels, G (Dolphins). Three years, $24MM. $7.26MM is fully guaranteed, per OverTheCap. The Dolphins guaranteed $3.48MM of Daniels’ $6.49MM 2026 base salary for injury at signing, per Wilson; that $3.48MM shifts to a full guarantee on Day 3 of the 2026 league year.
  • Jarran Reed, DL (Seahawks). Three years, $22MM. Seattle guaranteed Reed $8MM at signing, per OverTheCap. After a fully guaranteed 2025 base salary, $2MM of Reed’s $5.49MM 2026 base will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2026 league year, Wilson tweets.
  • Michael Hoecht, DE (Bills). Three years, $21MM. Buffalo is guaranteeing Hoecht $13.43MM at signing. Both Hoecht’s 2025 and ’26 base salaries are fully guaranteed, Wilson adds. His $5.74MM 2027 paragraph 5 number is nonguaranteed.

Colts, S Camryn Bynum Agree To Deal

March 10th, 2025 at 1:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts’ first agreement of the day is a lucrative one. Safety Camryn Bynum is set to join the Colts on a four-year, $60MM contract, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.

Bynum’s work in Brian Flores‘ defense will secure him a upper-crust safety payday. More notably, this is a big-ticket outside free agency addition from the Colts, who have been hesitant to explore these avenues — for the most part — under GM Chris Ballard. The veteran front office boss pointed to a philosophical shift this offseason, however, and Bynum will be a big part of that.

A homegrown secondary has not produced positive results for the Colts, who struggled against the pass for much of Gus Bradley‘s three-year tenure. Lou Anarumo is now in place as Indianapolis’ DC. Anarumo’s Bengals defense missed Jessie Bates over the past two seasons; the veteran defensive play-caller will now have another young safety talent in his secondary.

This brings a potentially significant loss for the Vikings, who have Harrison Smith going into what would be an age-36 season. The Minnesota staple is contemplating retirement. The Vikes also have Byron Murphy and Stephon Gilmore in free agency, creating big-picture questions in their secondary. Rumblings about a Vikings-Bynum re-signing did not produce a deal, however, and the Colts will bet on the former fourth-round pick.

Bynum, who is going into an age-27 season, had been a quality role player on a Vikings defense that made major strides during Flores’ two seasons. Pro Football Focus 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 intercepted eight passes on his rookie deal. Bynum also forced three fumbles in 2023. The Cal product also made a substantial impact as a tackler, registering 137 in 2023 and 96 last season.

The Colts have Julian Blackmon again in free agency, and after a breakthrough Nick Cross season, the former third-round pick is in a contract year. Bynum’s deal may well impact Cross’ future, but as of now, the Colts do not have too much money allocated elsewhere in their secondary.

Free Agency Rumors: Raiders, Murphy, Holland, Jets, Dalman, Bears, Falcons, OL

March 9th, 2025 at 10:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Byron Murphy was on the 2023 market, but the four-year Cardinals starter settled for a midlevel two-year deal. After a productive Vikings run, the former No. 33 overall pick has set himself up for a second payday. On a market featuring a host of third-contract-seeking corners, Murphy may be in the best shape due to going into an age-27 season. A suitor has emerged for the six-year vet in the Raiders, with The Athletic’s Tashan Reed labeling him a top priority for the Silver and Black. Murphy has set a high asking price, potentially up to $20MM per year, though the Vikings are exploring a second contract.

Elsewhere in the Raiders’ secondary, the team still wants to keep Tre’von Moehrig. With Moehrig expected to do well on the market, the Raiders may need a backup plan. Identifying Moehrig as the most difficult of Las Vegas’ in-house free agents to retain, Reed mentions Murphy teammate Camryn Bynum as a player to watch for a potential addition. Evidently viewing the Vikings’ secondary as a well-run unit, the Raiders have both starting safeties (Moehrig, Marcus Epps) hitting the market. Moehrig landed 24th on our top 50 free agents list, Bynum 36th. Bynum joins Murphy in going into an age-27 season and as a player who played a key role in helping Minnesota form a top-five defense.

Here is the latest from the free agent market:

  • Jevon Holland has been tied to the Panthers and Titans, with the Dolphins not giving up hope — reminding of their Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt final hours — of retaining him. The Jets should be a team to monitor for Holland as well, SNY’s Connor Hughes tweets. No. 6 on our FA list, Holland has been linked to potentially commanding as much as $20MM per year. The Jets have Chuck Clark, Jalen Mills and Ashtyn Davis due for free agency. Holland would be a much pricier replacement, but the Jets have a veteran secondary coach (Aaron Glenn) as HC now. Glenn just had considerable success developing Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.
  • The Jets are not expected to retain Tyler Conklin, Hughes adds. Conklin played three seasons with the Jets, outdoing C.J. Uzomah after both were signed in the same offseason. Conklin, 29, could do reasonably well on the market. This is a thin TE market, with Juwan Johnson and now Evan Engram profiling as the top options. Mike Gesicki scored a three-year, $25.5MM Bengals deal. Conklin has been more consistent. He was oddly more productive with Zach Wilson, posting a career-high 621 yards in 2023; he tallied 449 and a career-high four TDs last year.
  • Extending Jake Matthews stands to create some cap space for the Falcons, but Drew Dalman will draw a strong market, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes. A three-year Falcons center starter, Dalman looks to be the top snapper available ahead of his age-27 season. The Bears are being mentioned as a team to monitor for Dalman, Schultz adds. Chicago has been busy revamping its interior O-line in Ben Johnson‘s first weeks on the job, trading for Joe Thuney and ex-Lions starter Jonah Jackson. Dalman would fetch an upper-crust center deal, but the Bears do have two rookie tackle salaries (for now) and Caleb Williams‘ rookie-scale deal around which to build.
  • Dan Moore Jr. has been set to leave Pittsburgh for a while, as the Steelers used back-to-back first-round picks on tackles. The four-year Pittsburgh LT is expected to command at least $15MM on the open market, with Schultz adding a high-teens AAV may be required. Ronnie Stanley landed a $20MM-per-year deal from the Ravens. The more accomplished tackle is four years older and more injury-prone than Moore. In what would be a more surprising free agency market, Schultz adds the 49ers’ Jaylon Moore may score a deal on the same level as the more experienced Moore. Jaylon Moore, a 2021 fifth-rounder, filled in for Trent Williams last season and has 15 starts on his resume. With Stanley and Alaric Jackson off the board, the Moores and Cam Robinson stand to do well.

Byron Murphy Aiming For Significant Raise; Vikings-Camryn Bynum Deal In Play

February 13th, 2025 at 2:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

FEBRUARY 13: In another indication of Murphy’s desire for a notable payday, Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune notes he turned down an extension offer from the Vikings prior to the start of the 2024 campaign. Murphy’s value has certainly risen since he made that decision, and Minnesota would have a large vacancy to fill at the cornerback spot if Murphy were to depart on the open market.

FEBRUARY 3: 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.

Vikings Working To Extend S Camryn Bynum

September 6th, 2024 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

After an offseason that saw an impressive amount of turnover, the Vikings are starting to turn their attention to the threats to leave in the next offseason. One such threat is that of starting safety Camryn Bynum who is about to begin the final year of his rookie contract in Minnesota. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Minnesota is working to extend the fourth-year safety.

A productive player through his first three years as a Golden Bear, Bynum’s final season at Cal was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic limiting the school’s season to only four games. Still, Bynum’s production up to that point warranted a flyer in the fourth round of the draft. After only a year, Bynum established himself as a full-time starter, setting himself up for the position he finds himself in now.

Through three years in the NFL, Bynum’s production has been consistent with his collegiate career, continuing a trend of having at least one interception every year since he graduated from high school. His versatility earned him three starts in 14 appearances as a rookie, and he delivered an interception, three passes defensed, and a sack as a result.

Once a full-time starter, Bynum established himself as a tackler, as well. In 2022 he finished the year with 81 total tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed, and two fumble recoveries. Last year saw him lead the team with 137 total tackles, record career highs in passes defensed (9) and forced fumbles (3), and reel in another two interceptions and a half sack. His efforts in 2023 saw him grade out as the league’s 21st-best safety in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

This offseason saw Antoine Winfield Jr. set a new mark for safeties in the NFL, earning a deal with an annual average value of $21.03MM, but Bynum is nowhere near as ballyhooed as Winfield or the other top earners at the position like Derwin James ($19.13MM per year) or Minkah Fitzpatrick ($18.4MM). Recent deals for Xavier McKinney ($16.75MM), Kyle Dugger ($14.5MM), Julian Love ($11MM), and Jabrill Peppers ($8MM) set a much more reasonable precedent for what to expect in a new deal for Bynum.

Extensions for the top-end safeties in the game have mostly been for four years, while the 12 safeties outside the top eight highest-paid players at the position all have three-year contracts. Assuming Bynum is held out of that top eight, a three-year deal averaging between $10MM-$12MM doesn’t sound out of the realm of possibility. Should Bynum warrant a bit more value, he could potentially earn as much as $15MM per year on a four-year contract, though the former seems more likely than the latter.

Regardless, Bynum seems like an excellent candidate to avoid playing on a career-year with a potential mid-year extension. The California-product has seamless worked into the starting lineup in Minnesota and has continued to establish a bigger role for himself in each year. The question remains: just how much will the Vikings reward him for those efforts?

Latest On Vikings Rookies Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth

September 4th, 2022 at 4:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings used their top two selections in this year’s draft to bolster their secondary, though the prospects they landed may not be seeing major snaps right away. According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, neither safety Lewis Cine nor cornerback Andrew Booth are likely to play starting roles to begin the season. 

Cine went No. 32 overall, the slot Minnesota took over as a result of their swap with the Lions which allowed Detroit to move up to the 12th position. The fifth and final member of Georgia’s elite defense to hear their name called on Day 1, Cine was a key contributor on the backend for the Bulldogs throughout his three-year college career.

Taking a step forward with each successive campaign, the six-foot-one, 200-pounder totaled 73 tackles last season, adding an interception and nine pass breakups. Known more for his physicality than his range or ball skills (dropping him below the likes of Kyle Hamilton and Daxton Hill in the position’s draft rankings), Cine has been competing with 2021 fourth-rounder Camryn Bynum for a first-team role. It appears the latter will get the nod to partner with Harrison Smith at least to start the season.

Booth was also selected in the wake of a trade, but in his case, the Vikings moved up to secure him. Hernia surgery may have hurt his draft stock, as he was considered a borderline first-rounder, but the Clemson product is healthy in time for Week 1. He registered 37 tackles (including three for a loss), along with five passes defensed in his final year with the Tigers.

He also ranked tied for second in the ACC with three interceptions, showcasing his ball skills which, combined with his athletic profile, give him a high upside. Instead of Booth, though, the Vikings are poised to use 2020 third-rounder Cameron Dantzler (who almost found himself being traded last offseason) as a bookend to Patrick Peterson on the perimeter.

The Vikings’ pass defense ranked 28th last season, allowing 253 yards per game through the air. While that makes their commitments to Cine and Booth understandable, familiar faces will prevent them from seeing full-time duty to start their respective careers.

NFC North Notes: Lions, Bears, OTAs, Rookies, Packers, Vikings

June 20th, 2022 at 12:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Lions recently detailed a number of updates to their front office. Included among them is new titles being given to members of both the player personnel and football operations departments.

Lance Newmark is now the team’s senior director of player personnel, a slightly different job title than the one he had held since 2017 as the head of that department. The veteran executive has spent all but two of his 26 years in the NFL with the Lions, and was a candidate for Detroit’s GM position, which ultimately went to Brad Holmes. He was also linked to the GM job with the Jets prior to that.

Another notable change is the promotion of Mike Disner to chief operating officer. He had previously served as the team’s VP of football and business administration, playing a key role across a number of departments in the organization. He has spent the past three years in Detroit, having been hired as the replacement for Matt Harriss after a stint in Arizona.

Here are a few other notes from around the NFC North:

  • The Bears forfeited one of their OTA practices earlier this month, as detailed by Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune (subscription required). The team held May practices which involved live contact, something prohibited by the CBA. Wiederer reports that the Bears were “requested to alter their practice activity,” but because the staff now led by Matt Eberflus didn’t do so, the team became subject to that minor penalty.
  • The Packers took not one, but two, former Georgia defenders in the first round of the draft in April. Their top selection, linebacker Quay Walker, has immediately seen practice time alongside starter De’Vondre Campbell. As noted by Rob Demovsky in an ESPN breakdown of first-rounders, Walker’s significant presence in both base and sub packages suggests he could start immediately.
  • In that same piece, Demovsky’s colleague Kevin Seifert writes that another former Bulldog, safety Lewis Cine, is pushing for a spot with the Vikings’ first-team defense. The No. 32 pick is in competition with Camryn Bynum for a starting role, but his ascension to that spot “appears inevitable” after his showing this spring.

NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 1/3/22

January 3rd, 2022 at 8:56pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Monday’s activations from and placements on the reserve/COVID-19 lists:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Mike Remmers (remains on IR)

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raymond Calais (remains on IR)

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Vikings Sign First-Round Pick Christian Darrisaw

May 14th, 2021 at 1:08pm CST by Rory Parks

The Vikings have their first-round pick under contract. According to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, Minnesota has signed No. 23 overall selection Christian Darrisaw.

Darrisaw, a Virginia Tech product, is likely to become the Vikes’ starting left tackle right away. The team had a major need there after parting ways with Riley Reiff this offseason, and Darrisaw has a high floor thanks to his natural athleticism and the proficiency he has already displayed as both a pass-blocker and run-blocker. Some scouting reports suggest he will need to do a better job of finishing his blocks at the professional level, but there is no reason to believe he won’t develop that ability with time.

The Vikings originally held the No. 14 overall pick, and they discussed trading up from that spot in an effort to land quarterback Justin Fields. Ultimately, the Bears beat them to the punch by jumping up from the No. 20 selection to No. 11 — a move that required the forfeiture of a 2022 first-rounder — and with Fields and Northwestern LT Rashawn Slater off the board, Minnesota GM Rick Spielman dropped from No. 14 to No. 23.

However, as we later learned, Spielman was prepared to trade back up from No. 23 to make sure he landed Darrisaw (as Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes, Minnesota may have made an offer to the Raiders, who were holding the No. 17 pick). Ultimately, Spielman was able to keep the draft capital he acquired as part of his trade down while still getting the former Hokie to protect Kirk Cousins‘ blind side.

In addition to Darrisaw, the Vikings have signed fourth-round selection Camryn Bynum. Bynum, a cornerback out of California-Berkeley, was one of three fourth-rounders for the Vikings this year. Minnesota just traded fellow corner Mike Hughes to the Chiefs, thereby giving Bynum a bit of a better shot at immediate playing time. Over 42 collegiate games, he tallied 184 total tackles (eight TFL) and six interceptions.