High-Profile Viking Trending toward Leaving Team in Free Agency
NFL free agency is less than 10 weeks away, and the Minnesota Vikings are on track to have north of $70 million in available cap space.
High-Profile Viking Trending toward Leaving Team in Free Agency
And, for better or worse, one popular defender is trending in the wrong direction to return — veteran safety Camryn Bynum.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson joined SKOR North’s Mackey and Judd Show this week, and he sounded a bit pessimistic about Bynum’s chances for a Year No. 5 in the Twin Cities. “Of all their premier free agents, the one that continues for me, like it’s hard to see him back, is Cam Bynum,” Wolfson said.
Wolfson generally nails all the Vikings reporting and rumors, so his assessment is not out of left field or clickbait.
He added, “Now, hey, there were some talks before training camp, so clearly mutual interest. But I just think Cam is good enough to get paid enough. I don’t have enough proof that this front office is willing to invest heavy money in the safety position.”
Bynum was also snubbed in Pro Bowl voting this week, not included in the NFL’s announcement, nor was he mentioned as an alternate. His teammate, Josh Metellus, earned alternate status and could get the nod when other players back out to injury or Super Bowl participation.
The flamboyant defensive back has turned heads in 2024, making impact plays and firing up sweet celebrations along the way. With Harrison Smith’s retirement imminent, it’s safe to assume Minnesota will entertain re-signing Bynum for the long haul in February or March. Stay tuned.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote about his impending free agency in November: “What we’re hearing: Minnesota has made efforts to extend Bynum, who is a natural successor to Harrison Smith as the Vikings’ leader in the secondary. Smith turns 36 in February. Five safeties make at least $16 million per year, and Bynum, whose value is rising after three interceptions and eight passes defensed this season, will look to become the sixth.”
“The Vikings believe they are in a good place with him as far as a long-term working relationship.”
If Bynum walked via free agency and the aforementioned Smith retired, Minnesota would be left with safeties Josh Metellus and Jay Ward under contract for 2025. Theo Jackson, too, would likely be re-signed.
Pro Football Focus considers Bynum the NFL’s 54th-best safety through 17 weeks, assigning a 64.1 grade.
It’s also worth noting that Bynum’s extension in Minnesota might boil down to Sam Darnold, believe it or not. If the Vikings splurge on Darnold’s probably asking price of $40 million or more in 2025, the budget to add new free agents or sign expensive in-house players — like Bynum — could be close to nonexistent.
Otherwise, letting Darnold walk while starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy would enable Minnesota to explore a newcomer free-agent bonanza and re-sign players like Bynum.
Bynum will turn 27 in July.
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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