4 Vikings Players Who Need Contract Extensions

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.

The window to negotiate contract extensions for the Minnesota Vikings player may be somewhat shut, as the club generally prefers the offseason for such business.

4 Vikings Players Who Need Contract Extensions

However, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recently extended DT Harrison Phillips’ deal, meaning a couple more could be on the way.

So, Minnesota could reasonably extend these four players in the next few months. They’re ranked in ascending order of priority (No. 1 = most important).

4. Ty Chandler (RB)

Deep at One Specific
Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) runs with the ball against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Chandler is in Year No. 3 of a four-year rookie deal, and thanks to his emergence down the stretch of 2023, he’s proved to be a reliable RB2 and borderline RB1. It’s unclear how long Aaron Jones will stay in Minnesota, but Chandler could stick around for an extra two or three years after 2025 at a relatively affordable rate.

He’ll turn 27 in May, so he certainly has time for one life-altering contract. Hopefully, that is in Minnesota.

3. Camryn Bynum (S)

Oct 23, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota safety C. Bynum (24) poses after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Bynum is scheduled to hit open free agency in about six months. And according to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Minnesota wants the young safety back, but a deal has not yet materialized.

“I’m told there have been discussions on an extension but no legitimate progress. A lot would have to change for an extension to happen before the season opener,” Wolfson told SKOR North in late August. “So, in this moment … I will tell you that Cam Bynum, starting on Sept. 8, will play out the final year on his contract. But mutual interest remains on having Cam here long term.”

Bynum should stick around for the long haul, but extension talks may be tabled until February.

2. Byron Murphy (CB)

Contract
Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates an interception with cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Murphy could be back in 2025 — if the decision is solely up to him. He told KSTP’s Darren Wolfson earlier this summer, “I gotta say, since I’ve been here since day one, I fell in love, so I don’t want to go nowhere. I want to stay here for the rest of my career. So I’m gonna try to work my ass off to stay here for sure.”

Otherwise, Murphy signed a two-year deal last offseason, making 2024 the final season in Minnesota. All signs, though, point to his return.

He’s nestled into the Vikings’ slot cornerback role this year, one that suits him.

1. Josh Metellus (S)

Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) is tackled by Minnesota safety J. Metellus (44) during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Metellus wants to play his entire career with the purple team. A Michigan Wolverines-themed X account tweeted Metellus’ anniversary of getting added to the Vikings’ active roster four years ago earlier this week, and Metellus found the post. He retweeted with the caption: “Hope I’m never anywhere else 💜.”

Metellus has logged 11 tackles, 2 passes defended, 1 QB hit, the aforementioned interception, and a 47.4 passer-rating-against so far this season en route to a stellar 78.2 Pro Football Focus grade.

He’s under contract through the end of next season, but an extension will likely materialize sometime before the start of the 2025 regular season. The man feels like a Vikings lifer.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.