Vikings Lock in $88 Million Pro Bowler Before Offseason Hits!
The Minnesota Vikings are proactively making moves ahead of the 2025 offseason, starting with flexibility regarding starting cornerback Byron Murphy, who is set to hit free agency. Murphy, 27, is coming off a two-year, $17.5 million contract and is poised for a significant pay raise after a standout 2024 season, where he set career highs with 81 tackles, 14 pass deflections, and 6 interceptions. He can play both on the perimeter and inside at nickelback, making him even more valuable.
To gain more time and options, the Vikings and Murphy agreed to push back the void date on his contract. Originally set to void 23 days before the league year, the new date is now just a day before, meaning Murphy can’t be franchised after that. Spotrac projects Murphy could command a four-year, $88.4 million deal, with an annual salary of $22.1 million.
While this move suggests the Vikings are eager to keep Murphy, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted it doesn’t guarantee his return. He pointed out that similar moves with players like Dalvin Tomlinson in 2023 and Marcus Davenport in 2024 didn’t result in retention. Despite this, head coach Kevin O’Connell praised Murphy’s performance, which could signal their intent to keep him.
The Vikings are expected to have cap space this offseason, but they have several pressing priorities, including addressing the quarterback position. Their ongoing roster retooling might give them confidence that they can adjust even if Murphy doesn’t return. Meanwhile, Aaron Jones, coming off a career year, is another player whose contract situation remains in focus.
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