Minnesota Vikings Have Been Trying to Extend Byron Murphy Jr

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Byron Murphy Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

When the Minnesota Vikings turned the page to 2024 they had serious questions at the cornerback position. Those lasted almost up until the regular season, but the acquisition of Stephon Gilmore helped to calm them. Byron Murphy Jr. was here before him, and the team would like him to remain after.

Gilmore is out this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons. Minnesota will have to weigh whether they want to be holding the bag of a cooked veteran next season. That means Brian Flores will need talent to use against opposing wide receivers and Murphy Jr. looks like a building block.

Byron Murphy Jr. can solidify Minnesota Vikings cornerback position

The Minnesota Vikings brought Byron Murphy Jr. in prior to the 2023 season. The former second round pick had spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals. He quickly emerged as a top presence for Brian Flores’ secondary. His two-year deal is up after this season, but the franchise is looking to keep him from free agency.

“Byron Murphy is someone they want to keep. Byron told me last week they wanted to extend him before this season. He said they just couldn’t come to terms on a number. He decided to just bet on himself in a free agent year. He’s got five interceptions. It’s worked out pretty well for him.”

Andrew Krammer on Byron Murphy Jr. (Access Vikings Podcast)

As Krammer suggested, things certainly haven’t gotten any cheaper for the Vikings if they want to lock down Murphy Jr. into the future. He’s currently in the final season of a two-year deal worth $17.5 million. At just 26 years old, there’s still plenty of good football still in front of him.

Last season Murphy Jr. picked off three passes in 14 games for the Vikings. This year he has five interceptions in just 12 games. He already has 11 passes defensed and his 58 tackles surpass the 2023 season by one. He knew the payday was on the line and he has risen to the occasion.

Related: Local Insider Would Bet on Blossoming Safety Leaving the Minnesota Vikings

The depth at the cornerback position is virtually non-existent. Murphy Jr. starts alongside of Gilmore, but the only player not on a one-year deal is undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern. He has yet to see a single snap and there’s no way Kevin O’Connell is going to play next year without the position addressed.

Of course the Vikings have more money thanks to moving on from Kirk Cousins. J.J. McCarthy being on a rookie deal opens up a significant amount of cap space. With so few draft picks, you can bet that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will be active on the open market.

Related: Vikings DC Brian Flores Ruled Out for One Possible NFL Head Coaching Job; Other Interesting Fits Floated

Ultimately it remains to be seen what happens for Byron Murphy Jr. next season. The Minnesota Vikings should be invested in keeping a player they have come to know. At the end of the day, money talks.

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