One of NFL’s “Worst Free Agent Signings” Is a Former Viking
Over a month ago, the Minnesota Vikings said goodbye to players like Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, Nick Mullens, Jerry Tillery, and Johnny Mundt, to name a handful, via free agency.
One of NFL’s “Worst Free Agent Signings” Is a Former Viking
Minnesota also parted ways with safety Camryn Bynum after four seasons of service, as the veteran defender joined Daniel Jones in Indianapolis. Bynum is a Colt.
And according to Bleacher Report, Bynum to Indianapolis represents one of the worst free-agent moves of the offseason.
Camryn Bynum Made the Naughty List
Bleacher Report‘s Gary Davenport ranked the eight worst free-agent moves this year, and per his estimation, Bynum was included at No. 8.
He explained, “Bynum has been a solid run defender the past two years, amassing 233 total tackles over the past two years. He has also averaged two interceptions per season and posted a career-best 10 passes defensed last year in Minnesota. But Bynum isn’t especially good in coverage — his career passer rating against is almost 100, and the 26-year-old allowed a whopping eight touchdown passes in 2022.”
“The Colts are essentially right back where they started—with a pair of safeties best suited to playing near the line of scrimmage and no one well-suited to a role in deep coverage.”
Without Bynum, the Vikings will turn to his backup, Theo Jackson, in 2025, a reserve player who signed an extension right before the start of free agency.
Davenport added, “The Colts could have maintained the (flawed) status quo by bringing back Julian Blackmon — and done so for a fraction of what Bynum was paid.”
The Stats of Camryn Bynum
Bynum achieved full-time defensive snaps in the last three seasons. These are his passer-rating-against marks since 2022:
- 2022: 123.0
- 2023: 98.9
- 2024: 77.6
And his Pro Football Focus resume:
- 2022: 58.7
- 2023: 73.2
- 2024: 61.6
In short, his tackling and run defense is always upper-echelon, but his pass coverage lags. If a team wanted a valuable pass-coverage asset, $60 million over four years is probably a bit spendy. Otherwise, the run defense is there if the Colts desire.
Bynum’s Market Value
Per PFF, Bynum ranked as the NFL’s 61st-best safety in 2024, which isn’t much in the way of bragging rights.
But per average annual value — Bynum now earns $15 million per season — he ranks ninth in the NFL among highest-paid safeties.
So, if the beholder trusts PFF’s scoring system, Bynum is grossly overpaid, and Bleacher Report is indeed onto something. Sixty-first best versus ninth most expensive.
Bynum’s Thoughts on the Colts
On the other hand, Bynum is quite excited for a change of scenery. He said last month about joining the Colts: “The type of guys that we have, that the organization has put together to create the secondary, I already know. I’m getting excited talking about it right now. I know we’re going to be big time.”
“I know when we come together and we put the work in that we know we’re going to put in, I know that greatness is gonna happen, and it’s just a matter of how quick we can gel together and really get on the same page with each other and really become brothers on and off the field.”
Indianapolis’ defense ranked 15th per DVOA in 2024.
Bynum added, “I think we’ll be great – I know we’ll be great. I expect greatness out of us, and I know that there’s going to be no problem when it comes down to putting the work in.”
Other “Worst” Free Agent Deals
Davenport called offensive tackle Dan Moore to Tennessee, for four years and $82 million, the worst free-agent deal of the cycle. He noted, “Adding offensive line help in free agency can be a dangerous proposition. There are essentially two types of linemen who hit the open market — aging veterans and middling talents who almost always wind up being overpaid. Offensive tackle Dan Moore definitely fits into that latter category.”
“There has been no shortage of criticism of Moore’s deal after the Tennessee Titans gave the 26-year-old over $20 million a season.”
BR wasn’t alone with the confusion; many onlookers questioned the deal’s size and worth.
Davenport concluded, “The problem is that nothing in Moore’s career to date indicates he’s a $20 million a year tackle. Per Pro Football Focus, last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Moore allowed a whopping 12 sacks in 1,111 snaps while grading outside the top 45 players at his position.”
“Moore is an average (at best) tackle who is now a top-10 player at the position in terms of average annual salary. That’s not the kind of move that’s going to get the Titans out of the AFC South basement.”
BR also disliked Javon Kinlaw to the New York Jets for $15 million per year.
Beloved Former Viking Calls It Quits
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