2 Popular Free Agents Likely to Rejoin Vikings: Report

NFL free agency is two months away.
Vikings Rumor Mill Heats Up for 2 Free Agents to Be
Of course, the Minnesota Vikings first have a playoff game on Monday night, traveling to Arizona for a date with the Los Angeles Rams. The NFL moved the game to Glendale because of Southern California wildfires.

Minnesota could play football for a few more hours — or a few more weeks. It’s all up to them.
And according to Pioneer Press‘ Charley Walters, Minnesota will likely re-sign Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy and safety Camryn Bynum when the offseason hits. Walters revealed both declarations last weekend, clarifying two top offseason priorities.
“It’s clear the Vikings will re-sign cornerback Byron Murphy, who has six interceptions this season, and probably safety Cam Bynum, because it’s unlikely Harrison Smith, who turns 36 next month after 13 seasons, will return,” Walters opined.
Murphy feels like a no-brainer to re-sign, mainly because he’s busted into stardom this season. The veteran defender has nabbed 6 interceptions during his second season in Minnesota, along with a fantastic 76.7 passer-rating-against. It’s worth noting that his next contract’s price tag has skyrocketed, in theory, accordingly.

In an interview with KSTP’s Darren Wolfson last summer, Murphy 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 said in June.
So, if you’re keeping track at home: a) The Vikings need CB solutions in 2025 and beyond — like, big time. b) Murphy wants to be in the Twin Cities. c) Walters’ reporting sounds pretty emphatic.

Bynum, on the other hand, might be a bit more of a wildcard. Cornerback is considered a more premium position than safety.
It will probably boil down to asking price for Bynum and the Vikings’ next steps.
Meanwhile, ruling out Harrison Smith, per Walters, feels a bit premature. The Vikings’ legend has performed quite well in 2024 and doesn’t look like a washed commodity. Smith could be back in 2025, especially if defensive coordinator Brian Flores doesn’t take a head coaching promotion elsewhere.

Finally, Sam Darnold’s next contract could determine whether Minnesota re-ups with Murphy and Bynum. If Minnesota spends $40-$50 million on Darnold, its piggybank for everyone else will substantially dwindle.
The Vikings have over $65 million in cap space heading into 2025 before any Darnold negotiations.

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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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