Before the 2024 season kicked off, the Minnesota Vikings passed up the opportunity to sign Byron Murphy Jr. at a bargain rate — and now he’s seeking a significant payday after a standout Pro Bowl campaign.
In June, KSTP’s Darren Wolfson reported that Murphy had urged his agent to push for a deal.
“He wants to stay here for the rest of his career. That’s how much Byron Murphy loves being a Viking,” Wolfson said, citing a conversation he had with the 27-year-old cornerback at mandatory minicamp.
“He told his agent, ‘Hey, get in touch with the Vikings, contact [Vikings executive VP of football operations] Rob Brzezinksi, and see if we can work out some sort of extension before the season begins.’”
But no agreement was reached. The Vikings had other priorities, securing long-term deals for Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw during the offseason.
Now, Murphy is aiming for a much larger contract.
“Sources indicate Murphy will be looking for a substantial raise from the two-year, $17.5 million deal he just finished in Minnesota. He has played his way into a bigger payday,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on January 29.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) projected that Murphy could land a three-year, $52 million deal after leading all cornerbacks with six interceptions.
If the Vikings want to re-sign him, Murphy is poised to command nearly twice as much ($17.3 million annually) as he earned on his initial contract with Minnesota.
Murphy is one of three starting cornerbacks eligible for free agency, leaving the Vikings with a need to revamp their secondary this offseason.
While locking up Darrisaw and Jefferson was the Vikings’ priority last summer, they had the cap space to work out something with Murphy.
They did manage to strike a two-year, $15 million extension with defensive tackle Harrison Phillips following a Week 1 win over the New York Giants. However, Minnesota typically refrains from in-season negotiations, effectively ending talks with Murphy’s camp after the Phillips extension.
Murphy gambled on himself, finishing with a career-best 80.0 passer rating.
A 2019 second-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals, Murphy’s first season in Minnesota was somewhat underwhelming. However, he was brought in with the expectation of playing the slot but was pushed to the outside due to a lack of depth, and he thrived in both roles. Murphy’s versatile performance in Brian Flores’ defense, which he fully grasped in his second year, has set him up for a lucrative deal.
Murphy’s Preseason Confidence
In an interview with Wolfson in June, Murphy was transparent about his desire to remain in Minnesota.
“I don’t think I’m going anywhere. That’s my mindset,” Murphy told Wolfson on June 7. “I want to stay here. I love this place. Since Day 1, I fell in love. So I don’t want to leave. I want to finish my career here. I love the guys in the locker room, love the culture, everything about this place is amazing. So, I’m gonna work my a** off to make sure I stay here.”
Murphy’s prediction has come true with a Pro Bowl season, one he now hopes to leverage for a big contract.
“I’ve been trying [to get the agent to push for an extension],” Murphy said. “But for now, I’ll just focus on my game. I believe God will take care of everything. I’ll just keep playing ball. But, of course, I want to stay here. I’m going to keep making noise and make sure I get their attention.”
