Byron Murphy Jr - Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
The new NFL league year is nearly upon us. You can feel the anticipation every time you log onto Twitter (X) or see a push notification come across the wire. That’s because, starting Monday March 10, Minnesota Vikings free agents will officially be able to negotiate with other teams. On Wednesday, their 2025 unrestricted free agents will be able to sign contracts elsewhere.
At cornerback, the Vikings depth chart should be called the lack of depth chart, because they currently have no depth at the position. All four of the Vikings most relied upon CBs from last season — Byron Murphy Jr, Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin and Fabian Moreau — are scheduled to hit free agency next week.
Byron Murphy Jr - Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
Stephon Gilmore is supposedly pondering retirement, Shaq Griffin is expected to be gettable again, if Minnesota wants him back. But the biggest question needing answered at CB revolves around 27-year-old cornerback Byron Murphy Jr, easily the most valuable secondary asset the Vikings held, entering the offseason.
Contract talks between Minnesota Vikings and Byron Murphy Jr falling apart…?
According to all reports, the Minnesota Vikings wanted Byron Murphy Jr back in the worst way, and negotiations had been ongoing recently. Earlier this week, Murphy even got fans excited when he posted a Vikings-heavy highlight story to his Instagram account, as many thought he might be hinting at a yet to be announced extension.
Report: Nobody Knows Who is Calling the Shots for Vikings
Unfortunately, it looks like talks between Murphy Jr and the Minnesota Vikings are not going as well as each side would have hoped. According to Jordan Schultz (FOX Sports), as we head into the weekend, the Vikings have not able to reach an agreement with Byron Murphy Jr, who is now expected to hit free agency on Wednesday.
Sources: While Minnesota wants him back, free agent CB Byron Murphy is poised to hit the open market on Monday when the legal tampering period begins, and he’s anticipated to have a strong market.
The 27-year-old is coming off a Pro Bowl season and has totaled nine interceptions… pic.twitter.com/mPOenOkAaQ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 7, 2025
We’ve talked plenty about Sam Darnold, and whether or not to believe recent reports tying their 27-year-old former No. 3 overall draft QB back to Minnesota, for an encore to his breakout 2024 season. But there’s no doubt the fate of Byron Murphy Jr is next up on the list of talented free agents set to hit the market on March 12.
What will the Vikings lose if Murphy Jr walks?
In his two years with Minnesota, Byron Murphy Jr collected 138 tackles, 10 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, 27 passes defended and 9 interceptions, six of which came in 2024, the University of Washington alum’s best NFL season so far. Murphy Jr was graded a 72.8 overall by PFF on defense last season, including a 72.6 coverage grade.
On Thursday, the MN Vikings extended the other safety they drafted in 2022, 6th round pick Theo Jackson out of Tennessee. That seemed to signal the end of Cam Bynum’s time in purple. Recent reports also suggest that future Ring of Honor member, Harrison Smith, is expected to come back for his 14th NFL season.
Related: Schefter No Longer Buying Sam Darnold + Vikings Rumors
But if Murphy Jr doesn’t come back, it’s a guarantee the Minnesota Vikings secondary will look a lot different next season. Assuming he leaves, we can expect whoever is running the operation in Eagan to turn their focus to other names at the top of the cornerback free agency market.
Mentioned in this article: Byron Murphy Jr NFL Free Agency More About:Minnesota Vikings Rumors