Aside from Sam Darnold, safety Camryn Bynum is one of the most notable players from the 2024 Minnesota Vikings hitting free agency later this year.
Bynum has been with the Vikings since they selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he's been a member of the team's starting defense for the last three seasons.
While he's been a solid performer on defense and an outstanding leader in the locker room, some have wondered if he's played well enough for Minnesota to give him a significant pay raise this offseason. Well, based on a recent price projection, the Vikings' decision to move on from Bynum this year might actually be easier than previously anticipated.
Updated market value for Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum set at almost $18 million per year
Recently, Spotrac.com revealed what they believe Bynum's market value will be in free agency this offseason, and they have him potentially landing a three-year contract worth $53.2 million. With this projected deal, the Minnesota safety would have a new average annual salary of around $17.7 million.
With other significant needs on the offensive and defensive lines, do we really think Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is going to be fine with committing almost $18 million per season to a player in Bynum who hasn't even earned a Pro Bowl or All-Pro honor during his NFL career yet?
It just doesn't seem like an investment that would align with Adofo-Mensah's past moves as Minnesota's general manager.
Harrison Smith returning for another season or retiring will likely have a notable impact on what the Vikings decide to do with Bynum this year. But with Brian Flores returning for another season as Minnesota's defensive coordinator, the odds of Smith continuing to play in 2025 seem high.
That would leave the Vikings with Smith, Josh Metellus, and potentially Theo Jackson (if they re-sign him this offseason) as their top three safeties for the 2025 campaign. Of course, Minnesota could also add an affordable veteran safety in free agency or draft another safety this year if needed.
The Vikings have a number of paths they could take when it comes to their group of safeties this offseason. But it seems safe to say that paying Bynum almost $18 million per year is a path Minnesota will likely avoid.