Before the start of the 2024 season, the Minnesota Vikings passed up an opportunity to sign Byron Murphy Jr. to a cheaper deal. Now, following a Pro Bowl season, Murphy is seeking a much larger contract.
Back in June, KSTP’s Darren Wolfson reported that Murphy was eager to stay with the Vikings long-term. The 27-year-old cornerback expressed his desire to his agent, urging him to negotiate with the Vikings for an extension before the season began. However, the Vikings prioritized securing long-term contracts for Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw, and no deal was made with Murphy.
Now, Murphy is in a position to command a significant raise. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on January 29 that Murphy will be seeking a substantial increase from the two-year, $17.5 million contract he just completed in Minnesota. Pro Football Focus (PFF) projects him to receive a three-year, $52 million deal, especially after leading all cornerbacks with six interceptions.
If the Vikings wish to re-sign Murphy, they will likely have to offer him a deal that is nearly double the annual salary he earned in his previous contract, at around $17.3 million per year. Murphy is one of three starting cornerbacks eligible for free agency, meaning the Vikings will need to focus on reloading their secondary this offseason.
Vikings’ Decision to Not Re-Sign Murphy Backfires
While securing long-term deals for Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw was Minnesota’s priority last summer, the Vikings had the cap space to work out an extension with Byron Murphy Jr.
They managed to strike a two-year, $15 million extension with defensive tackle Harrison Phillips after a Week 1 win against the New York Giants. Typically, Minnesota refrains from negotiating in-season, effectively ending talks with Murphy’s camp following the Phillips extension.
Murphy, however, bet on himself, delivering a career-best passer rating of 80.0.
A 2019 second-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals, Murphy’s first season with the Vikings was somewhat underwhelming. Initially signed to play in the slot, he had to shift to the outside due to a lack of depth at cornerback. Despite the adjustment, Murphy excelled in both roles, proving to be a versatile asset in Brian Flores’ defense, which he appeared to fully grasp in his second year. As a result, he’s now in line for a significant payday, cementing his status as Minnesota’s top cornerback.
Murphy Proved Himself Right in Preseason Interview
Byron Murphy Jr.’s interview with Darren Wolfson in June really highlighted his desire to remain in Minnesota, a sentiment he reiterated when he said, “I don’t think I’m going anywhere. That’s my mindset. I want to stay here. I love this place. Like I said since I been here, since Day 1, I fell in love. So I don’t want to go nowhere. I want to stay here for the rest of my career. Love these guys in the locker room. Love the culture, everything about this place is great.”
Murphy expressed a deep commitment to his role with the Vikings, emphasizing his bond with the team and the culture that made him want to stay. He added, “I’m gonna try to work my a* off to stay here for sure.”*
His mindset clearly paid off, as he went on to have a Pro Bowl season that undoubtedly boosted his market value. Despite his desire to stay, Murphy kept the focus on his game, stating, “I been trying [to push agent for an extension]. But right now I’m gonna just lock in. I think God is gonna take care of all those things. But I’m gonna just come out here, keep playing ball. But, obviously, I want to stay here. I’m gonna keep making noise around here so I can stay and just get their attention for sure.”
Now, after his standout season, Murphy is in a strong position to leverage that commitment into a well-deserved payday, but it remains to be seen if the Vikings will meet his expectations.
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