For months, the common belief has been that the Minnesota Vikings can’t afford to let Sam Darnold leave in free agency without receiving anything in return. However, this viewpoint is starting to shift.
Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. recently had the best season of his career and is entering his prime years. After a lackluster performance in his first season with the Vikings in 2023, Murphy bounced back with 6 interceptions and played a key role in a secondary undergoing substantial changes this offseason.
If the Vikings don’t act quickly and let Murphy hit free agency, Matt Bowen of ESPN suggested that the Las Vegas Raiders could be an ideal fit for the cornerback, posing a potential threat to Minnesota’s defense.
“The Raiders need more ball hawks in their secondary, and they could lose safeties Tre’von Moehrig and Marcus Epps, as well as slot corner Nate Hobbs, to free agency,” Bowen wrote on February 18. “Murphy’s six interceptions last season tied for the third most in the NFL, bringing his career total to 14. He has the flexibility to play on the perimeter or in the slot (259 snaps in 2024) and possesses the vision and speed to make an impact in Las Vegas.”
Byron Murphy Jr. is now in line for a lucrative contract after his standout season.
For Minnesota to retain Murphy long-term or for Las Vegas to lure him away, either team will need to make a competitive offer. Spotrac estimates Murphy’s market value at nearly $90 million for a four-year deal. After outplaying his previous two-year, $17.5 million contract last season, Murphy is in line for a significant payday.
The Vikings have the cap space to afford Murphy’s market value, with $61.1 million available as of Wednesday, ranking seventh in the league. However, the real question is whether they will deem him worth that price.
Minnesota’s decisions will also hinge on which player they use their franchise tag on, likely either Darnold or Murphy, as well as what they do with their first-round pick (No. 24 overall).
Most projections have the Vikings selecting a defensive back, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who predicted in January that they would choose cornerback Benjamin Morrison from Notre Dame.
“Minnesota has major cornerback questions. All three starters — Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin, and slot corner Byr. on Murphy Jr— are free agents, along with backup Fabian Moreau,” Kiper wrote. “Despite leading the NFL in interceptions (24), they might need to replenish their cornerback room through the draft. Morrison, who missed most of 2024 due to a hip injury, is a top-tier cover man with great technique and ball skills, boasting 9 interceptions and 21 pass breakups over his career.”
If the Vikings select a player like Morrison, the need to re-sign Murphy could decrease, especially at such a high cost.
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