Does Camryn Bynum’s Departure Hurt?
The Minnesota Vikings all but announced they would not be re-signing safety Cam Bynum after they recently extended Theo Jackson.
Does Camryn Bynum’s Departure Hurt?
That meant Brian Flores would have a new starter on the back end of his defense. Bynum is now headed to the Indianapolis Colts on a new deal, and the assumption has become reality.
As things stand, the Minnesota Vikings have a pair of safeties locked in. Jackson will join returning veteran Josh Metellus. It may not be the end of the line for Harrison Smith, but he has yet to make his decision public.
With Bynum out of the fold, the Vikings will be forced to get Jackson up to speed. He has looked the part of a quality starter at times but has only seen limited exposure. Of course, Bynum became synonymous with his choreographed celebration performances. Beyond that, though, he was a key contributor on defense.
Last season, Bynum picked off a career-high three passes. However, he saw a sizable downtick in tackles and found himself whiffing far too often. That’s something the Vikings would take a better production level on, even if it isn’t going to come with the dance moves.
If Smith decides to retire, the safety position will need a bit more work. If he returns, the trio of Smith, Metellus, and Jackson seems like a pairing that can logically be suggested to work.
Minnesota decided against paying big money for Bynum. He wound up getting $60 million from the Colts, and there’s no reason the Vikings had to match that number. It’s ok that he was well-liked by the fanbase, but roster construction wins out in this situation.
Jackson can now step in and show what he is capable of in a starting capacity. Last season, the safety played in all 17 games despite never drawing a start. He will be immediately relied upon to step up and showcase what he has learned while taking in developmental reps from the sidelines.
Of course, the defense will look a bit different with Bynum not out there, but this isn’t a hole that can’t be filled.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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