Vikings Free Agent Called a Possible “Steal”
Whether Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum returns to the Twin Cities for Year No. 5 feels like a coin flip as of late February.
Vikings Free Agent Called a Possible “Steal”
Minnesota drafted Bynum in 2021, the final draft from former general manager Rick Spielman. Now, Bynum’s contract is up, and if the Vikings don’t re-sign him, he can sign anywhere in the NFL in two weeks.
According to Bleacher Report, Bynum could be one of free agency’s top “steals.” BR listed under-the-radar players who could represent great value in March, and Bynum made the cut.
“Camryn Bynum, a 2021 fourth-round pick out of California, has developed into a starter. He’ll likely hold on to a lead role whether he stays in Minnesota or signs elsewhere. At 26, Bynum heads into free agency as an ascending cover safety,” Mo Moton explained.
“After a disastrous 2022 season in which he allowed a 123 passer rating and eight touchdowns, he made significant strides in Brian Flores’ system, registering five interceptions and 19 pass breakups over the last two seasons.”
Current general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could have a dicey situation at safety if Bynum departs in free agency and long-time defender Harrison Smith retires. Minnesota has a couple of other safeties in the current roster orbit: Josh Metellus and Jay Ward. But most believe the Vikings would need two starting safeties if Bynum left and Smith called it quits.
Moton continued, “Bynum has primarily played free safety as a deep-cover defender, though he’s capable of lining up in the slot. In addition to his takeaways, Bynum has improved his passer rating allowed over the last two seasons and permitted a 77.6 rating in 2024. Bynum won’t garner as much buzz as Jevon Holland, Justin Reid and Tre’Von Moehrig on the safety market, but he’s been in the same class as those players in production.”
“Pro Football Focus projects that Bynum may get a deal worth slightly more than $14 million annually, which may be selling his stock a bit short on the open market.”
Ironically, most Vikings fans would consider the theoretically $14 million annual price tag quite steep for Bynum, not affordable. But to each their own.
Last month, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote about Bynum’s free agency, “The Vikings and Bynum have had discussions about an extension. While nothing has materialized, both sides are open to it, and this could get done before mid-March.”
Bynum turned heads in 2024, making impact plays and firing up sweet celebrations along the way.
If Bynum bolted, the Vikings might pursue Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland or Talanoa Hufanga from the San Francisco 49ers in free agency
Folks will learn Bynum’s fate within the next two weeks.
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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