Every year, football fans experience the vertigo of mixed emotions wrought by the NFL offseason during March and April. Between draft speculation, surprise trades, and losing beloved stars to free agency, this period exists as no-man’s land for fans seeking comfort.
For Minnesota Vikings fans wounded by below-average pass defenses in previous years, seeing good players’ contracts renewed before free agency is a call that Skol Country won’t hesitate to make.
Two names up for a new contract include this year’s turnover machines, safety Camryn Bynum and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. With the ample cap space in 2025, the Vikings will likely sign at least one of them. But who is more likely to sign on the dotted line before the final game?
To make a case for each player, we’ll look at an accumulation of three factors: year-to-year growth, Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, and big-time plays. One name stands out, but both make a great case for future years in purple.
The Case For Murphy
Byron Murphy brings a passionate, eager-to-prove-himself presence to the Vikings’ locker room. Off the field, he cares deeply about his family. He also runs a clothing line called “7 Hearts,” a brand he named in reference to his past, his faith, and those he loves.
The Vikings signed Murphy in March 2023 to add to their waning and questionable secondary. Murphy had played out his rookie contract with the Arizona Cardinals, and they didn’t retain him. Therefore, he hoped for a fresh start with another team after injuries plagued his 2022 stint.
Murphy ended his first year in purple with a slightly below-average performance and a 58-overall PFF grade, lower than rookie teammate Mekhi Blackmon (71).
However, Minnesota’s overall pass defense modestly increased with his help, from 31st in 2022 to 24th in 2023. He also had four turnovers last year: three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Murphy enters a contract year this season, and his tape and stats show significant improvement in nearly all aspects of his game. He has a 70 PFF grade, a 12-point increase from last season. Murphy has already exceeded his previous interception total, with four, placing him near the top of the league list for INTs.
Of those four interceptions, three came clutch in the fourth quarter. Murphy had one of his picks in the tightly-contested final minutes of a game against the Green Bay Packers. There’s some improvement in less flashy stat lines. He also has 40 solo tackles, which is in the top 20 at his position.
In other words, despite a mediocre run last year, he’s making a strong case for another contract with a standout performance 10 games into the 2024 season. If the Vikings signed him tomorrow and he continues this path of success in future seasons, they could save money on his contract and lock in a reliable guy in a needed position.
Plus, the cap would suggest the Vikings can afford him. However, it’s challenging to project his next contract. It’s likely too early to speculate on the cornerback market, and there’s still a lot of ball to play.
The Case For Bynum
Safety Cam Bynum brings a lot of character and voice to the organization. Even Lindsay Lohan saw and appreciated his Parent Trap-inspired celebration with teammate Josh Metellus. He also appears on KFAN weekly to provide insights.
Vikings fans will remember celebratory dances, but safeties play a complex and pivotal role. They often represent the final hurdle for offensive players on any given down, either preventing or enabling big plays.
So, how has Bynum fared on the field since the Vikings drafted him in 2021, and does his performance warrant a new contract?
He made the most of what little he played during his rookie season. He had a monster game against the Baltimore Ravens, recording 12 tackles and an interception. Other than that, he mostly rode the bench in 2021.
Then came Minnesota’s storied 2022 season, in which Bynum was around or below average at his position. He finished with a 58 PFF grade and only 49 solo tackles. We can probably attribute some of his lackluster performance to the Vikings’ bend-don’t-break defensive scheme. But growing pains happen, especially for defensive backs.
Certainly 2023 was a tough season for the Vikings, but Bynum contributed to the defense’s improvement in his third and best year. He led the league for safeties in solo tackles, finishing top 10 in all positions, pulled in two interceptions, and received a 73 grade overall. Fans will also remember his request for help with his wife’s visa process, which Monday Night Football highlighted once she arrived stateside*.
PFF has given Bynum a 65 grade this year, but he’s already recorded three interceptions. Most recently, Bynum’s pick sealed the win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final two minutes.
There’s mutual interest in putting together a new contract for Bynum. He likes playing in Minnesota, and like Murphy, he’s shown growth and has a good 2024 season. But there are a lot of mouths to feed in this new and improved defense.
What’s Next?
The money is there for both players, and many fans would like to see the Vikings return both. However, Bynum has shown more consistency and, currently on his rookie contract, he has never tested the market like Murphy. That alone could be a reason to get Bynum signed before he can see what’s out there.
Then again, there’s still a void at the cornerback position. I cannot remember the last time Minnesota had bona fide CB depth. But by the time the 2025 season kicks off, I wouldn’t be surprised to see both players in purple. The Vikings have the cap space, and between their 2024 performances and the need in the secondary, it’ll probably happen.
Bynum edges Murphy in performance. If that’s our primary concern, I’d say he’s the one who gets the contract before the year’s up if either of them does. The deciding factors will be how Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Co. see the coming market playing out. Either way, fans should expect some long-hoped-for stability in the secondary as they start signing players to contracts in 2025.
*This sentence has been updated to clarify his wife’s visa situation.
