Byron Murphy Jr. earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week after picking off Tyler Shough twice in the Minnesota Vikings’ 23-13 win at New Orleans. No Viking had intercepted two passes in a game since Cam Bynum in 2023.
Murphy rewarded the Vikings’ decision to re-sign him last year, and the timing gives fans another reason to appreciate it. Bynum returns with Indianapolis on October 25, immediately after Minnesota’s Week 6 bye.
The Vikings spotlighted Murphy’s situational awareness before announcing his award. He followed Isaiah Rodgers, Myles Price, and Will Reichard, all special teams winners, giving Minnesota an NFC weekly honoree in four straight weeks.
Byron Murphy gives the Minnesota Vikings a timely boost before Cam Bynum’s return
Murphy, 28, has 19 career interceptions, including 14 since joining Minnesota as a free agent in 2023. Arizona’s second-round pick in 2019 has three through five games this season, halfway to his 2024 career-high of six. Murphy’s takeaway production helps justify bringing him back, even if it doesn’t tell the full story of his coverage.
Murphy and Bynum shared Minnesota’s secondary in 2023 and 2024, combining for 14 interceptions. Murphy accounted for nine, Bynum five. Vikings fans have already seen how dangerous Flores’ defense can be at finding the ball.
Eric Wilson’s pressure helped produce Murphy’s first interception. His second came on an overthrow toward Chris Olave with fewer than three minutes remaining. Murphy anticipated Olave’s double move, protecting against the receiver’s attempt to sell one route before breaking deeper.
Brian Flores needs that discipline behind the rush. Biting on the initial move would have risked letting Olave get behind him. Murphy stayed in position to punish Shough’s mistake while New Orleans needed points quickly.
Situational Master @byronmurphy pic.twitter.com/qPnKgOiXPu
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 13, 2026
Bynum, Minnesota’s fourth-round pick in 2021, joined the Colts in 2025. Through Week 5 of his Indianapolis tenure, the Colts credit him with four interceptions, nine passes defensed, 103 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a sack. All four interceptions came last season.
Murphy’s success at cornerback also doesn’t settle how well Minnesota replaced Bynum at safety. The two jobs carry different responsibilities. Bynum’s production with the Colts makes him a player Minnesota’s offense needs to account for.
Kevin O’Connell should use motion to test Indianapolis’ coverage, then pair underneath routes with deeper threats to stress Bynum’s choices. Minnesota can attack downfield, but Kyler Murray can’t lose track of Bynum once the play starts. When Bynum stays deep, Minnesota should take the underneath completion and make Indianapolis tackle.
Add us as a preferred source on Google