Most of the headlines surrounding the Minnesota Vikings this offseason center around the quarterback position. Although getting that decision right is important, the team has other needs to address that will impact the 2025 NFL season.
Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. had a career year with the Vikings in 2024. In his second year with Minnesota, the young defensive back set career-high numbers in tackles (81 combined), passes defended (14), and interceptions (six) on his way to his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Murphy is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason and can sign anywhere. It would be great if the No. 33 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft could return to Minnesota and continue to play at a high level in Brian Flores' defense.
Optimistic report shared about Byron Murphy Jr. re-signing with Minnesota Vikings in 2025
Minnesota Star Tribune Minnesota Vikings insider Ben Goessling spent time at the 2025 NFL Combine and gathered information about the purple and gold. He shared that information in a recent article on the Star Tribune website.
In that piece, Goessling discusses several Vikings topics. One of those topics is the status of Byron Murphy Jr. after the team pushed back his contract's void date to allow the team to negotiate a possible re-signing.
An interesting part of the note from Goessling is where it says "re-signing the cornerback is a high priority for them" this offseason. He then adds what it might cost to bring him back to Minnesota, mentioning that he might become one of the league's top ten highest paid corners.
If he is re-signed for that amount, Murphy could cost the Vikings around $19 million per year. That is a hefty sum, but it would allow Minnesota to solidify one of the starting outside cornerback positions for the upcoming season.
The Vikings have multiple cornerbacks hitting free agency this offseason. Bringing back a young, talented defensive back like Byron Murphy Jr. would make assembling a roster for the upcoming season easier.
Keep an eye on what the Minnesota Vikings do this offseason. Since the team has a large amount of salary cap space available and limited draft capital, they will need to spend some of that cap space to fortify their roster until they have the opportunity to draft players and develop those individuals to hopefully become starters in the NFL.