ESPN Nominates One Viking for Incoming Extension
The Minnesota Vikings don’t conduct much in-season contract extension business, but when defensive tackle Harrison Phillips received a new deal right after Week 1, some interpreted the faux policy as perhaps flexible.
ESPN Nominates One Viking for Incoming Extension
Accordingly, ESPN believes one veteran Vikings could fetch an extension within the next two months — safety Camryn Bynum.
Bynum’s deal is scheduled to run out after this season, and if he and the Vikings’ front office do not finagle a new agreement by March, he’ll hit the open market, almost certainly commanding suitors. But ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler claims they’ll never get there. A piece on ESPN asked this question this week: Which player is most likely to get a contract extension over the next two months?
“I’ll go with Vikings safety Camryn Bynum. Minnesota and Bynum discussed an extension in recent months but couldn’t reach an agreement. As of now, he is set to enter free agency. He’s thriving in Brian Flores’ defense, with two interceptions, five pass deflections and a fumble recovery,” Fowler wrote.
A Bynum extension would likely net the 26-year-old between $10-14 million per season.
Fowler added, “Making splash plays in a contract year is a way to nudge the team back to the negotiation table with a stronger offense. That could be the case here. Bynum also fortifies a clear position of need in the future. Harrison Smith is turning 36 in February. The Vikings released 2022 first-rounder Lewis Cine in August. Bynum has leverage and could wait until March to exercise it.”
So far in 2024, amid the Vikings’ impeccable 5-0 start, Bynum has posted a 68.4 Pro Football Focus grade, good enough for 26th-best among safeties in the business.
And per KSTP’s Darren Wolfson in August, Minnesota reportedly wants the young safety back.
“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 about six weeks ago. “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.”
The Vikings have several other productive safeties, including Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward. Although Smith, 35, could retire after the 2024 campaign.
Bynum has registered 31 total tackles in 2024, along with 5 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and one fumble recovery. Opposing quarterbacks have a 51.4 passer rating when targeting him.
Minnesota is scheduled to have about $75 million in cap space went the 2025 offseason rolls around.
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 Vikings 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.
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