Vikings Have One “Irreplaceable” Free Agent
The Minnesota Vikings have about 25 free agents scheduled to hit the open market on Monday, about the same as last year.
Vikings Have One “Irreplaceable” Free Agent
And according to CBS Sports, an outfit that nominated one irreplaceable free agent for each NFL team this week, Minnesota cannot afford to lose cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.
“Is quarterback more important? Yes. But with J.J. McCarthy in tow, Sam Darnold isn’t nearly as valuable to Minnesota as Murphy, whose ball-hawking helped headline Brian Flores’ unit,” Cody Benjamin wrote about Murphy Jr.’s impending free agency.
Murphy Jr. entered the 2025 offseason after a career year, logging 6 interceptions en route to his first Pro Bowl, and is set to cash in on a large contract this month — from some franchise. If Murphy Jr. skeddadles, the Vikings would need two starting cornerbacks this offseason from either free agency or the draft, a rather tall task for a team hoping to compete for a Super Bowl in 2025.
These are the Vikings’ cornerbacks under contract for 2025 at the moment:
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Dwight McGlothern
- NaJee Thompson
- Reddy Steward
- Kahlef Hailassie
- Nahshon Wright
- Ambry Thomas
In an interview with KSTP’s Darren Wolfson last summer, Murphy Jr. explained his intent to remain a Viking for the long haul. “I don’t think I’m going anywhere. That’s my mindset. I want to stay; I love this place. Since I’ve been here since day one, I have fallen in love. I want to go nowhere. I want to stay here for the rest of my career. I love these guys in the locker room and the coaching—everything about this place is great. I’m going to work my ass off to stay here,” Murphy Jr. said in June.
But that was before his seismic 2024 campaign, and Murphy Jr. could prefer the almighty dollar this offseason.
If Murphy Jr. departs, Minnesota might explore the open market next week for a corner like D.J. Reed (New York Jets), Charvarius Ward (San Francisco 49ers), or Paulson Adebo (New Orleans Saints), to name a few examples.
Otherwise, rookies like Jahdae Barron (Texas), Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina), and Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) could be draft options.
Folks will learn Murphy Jr.’s 2025 fate in roughly five days when free agency kicks off. His next deal is expected to check in around $20 million per season.
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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