Byron Murphy Jr. Might Have Spilled the Beans
If you put stock in social media hints from NFL players, let us introduce you to our finest Byron Murphy Jr. Instagram account.
Byron Murphy Jr. Might Have Spilled the Beans
Murphy Jr. is slated to hit the open market next week when NFL free agency kicks off, but per his latest Instagram post, some believe the Pro Bowl cornerback will return in purple.
The veteran defender posted this on Wednesday afternoon, some five days before the start of free agency:
Of course, like all “Instagram clues,” the montage could be interpreted as a farewell — or nothing at all. Yet, the timing seems to suggest a forthcoming extension because — why else post the video with free agency getting hot and heavy? A farewell would typically involve “Thank you, Minnesota” jottings.
If the social media tea leaves are correct, the Vikings would cross a major to-do list item off their free-agency board. Cornerback is the team’s top offseason need entering March. In fact, these are the cornerbacks scheduled to be under contract in 2025:
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Dwight McGlothern
- NaJee Thompson
- Reddy Steward
- Kahlef Hailassie
- Nahshon Wright
- Ambry Thomas
Murphy Jr. strutted into 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.
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.
Those comments nine months ago could coincide with the Instagram post — the man never wanted to leave in the first place.
If the Instagram tidbit is completely wrong, the Vikings 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.
Murphy Jr.’s next contract, with the Vikings or another club, should check in between $15 million and $20 million annually.
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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