The youngest of the high-end cornerbacks who entered free company in search of a 3rd contract, Byron Murphy has fared the most effective of the bunch to this point. The Vikings are bringing Murphy again on a monster elevate.
It is going to take a three-year, $66M deal for Minnesota to retain Murphy, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report. Murphy had been a Viking for lower than $9M per yr; he has now scored a $22M AAV after a two-year keep.
After shedding Camryn Bynum
to a $15M-per-year Colts deal, the Vikings confronted a quandary. Two of their different 5 secondary regulars — Harrison Smith, Stephon Gilmore — are contemplating retirement. Shedding 4 of these 5, with Josh Metellus being the one returner, would have offered a problem for a workforce that relied on gamers executing Brian Flores’ advanced protection. Hours after the Bynum defection, nonetheless, the Vikings ensured at the very least two of their secondary quintet will probably be again.
PFR’s No. 11-ranked free agent this yr, Murphy performed a central position within the Vikings’ climb from their woeful Ed Donatell season. Professional Soccer Focus ranked Murphy as a top-25 nook in 2024, as he improved in yards per goal (7.2) and passer score allowed because the closest defender (76.7) in comparison with his first Minnesota season. Murphy additionally was a turnover producer throughout his first Vikings contract, intercepting 9 passes — together with six final season — throughout that time period. The six-pick yr booked Murphy a Professional Bowl nod. He added 27 passes defensed in that span.
The previous four-year Cardinals starter additionally has intensive slot expertise, giving Flores choices. Murphy can also be solely going into his age-27 season. That undoubtedly made the Vikings extra snug authorizing a $22M-per-year deal. Murphy has not solely outdone the opposite third-contract-seeking CBs on this market; he has secured a top-five payday on the place. Even after Jaycee Horn‘s new contract is factored in, Murphy turns into the NFL’s fourth-highest-paid nook.
Because it seems, Murphy was proper to guess on himself by way of the two-year, $17.5M deal. It offered a prelude to a considerable elevate, and he was in search of $20M-plus on this market. The Vikings will rely on the 5-foot-11 defender working as their No. 1 nook for at the very least two extra seasons.
