Vikings, Byron Murphy Agree On Big Three-Year Deal
The Minnesota Vikings and Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy agreed to terms on a three-year, $66 million deal ($22 million per year) on Monday, sources tell NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Murphy will remain in Minnesota and will be handsomely rewarded after his breakout 2024 campaign. The 27-year-old former second-round pick (33rd overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 out of the University of Washington had a career-high 81 tackles (62 solo), six tackles for loss, a career-high six interceptions, 14 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 17 regular-season starts in 2024 in his second year in Minnesota. For his efforts a season ago, Murphy becomes the third-highest-paid cornerback in the league, behind only Jalen Ramsey and Patrick Surtain. Murphy will be looking to remain a ball-hawking defensive back for the Vikings under defensive coordinator Brian Flores in 2025.
The Minnesota Vikings would like to re-sign impending free-agent cornerback Byron Murphy, but FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz reports that he's poised to hit the open market on Monday when the legal tampering window opens, according to sources. Murphy is expected to have a strong market after coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2024 in which he recorded a career-high 81 tackles (62 solo), six tackles for loss, a career-high six interceptions, 14 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 17 regular-season starts for Minnesota. The 27-year-old has nine total interceptions in the last two seasons. The Vikings couldn't use the franchise tag on Murphy in order to retain him after pushing the void date on his contract back to the start of the new league year on March 12. The former second-rounder of the Cardinals in 2019 out of Washington has 367 career tackles (289 solo) and 14 interceptions in six seasons in the NFL.
The Athletic's Alec Lewis writes that the Minnesota Vikings want to re-sign cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., which is precisely why they extended the void date of his contract recently, which bought them more time to negotiate a new deal with the pending free agent. Not only does Murphy adore the organization, but the Vikings love his versatile skill set that allows him to play outside, lineup in the slot, blitz, and drop into coverage deep. Because the 27-year-old is younger than some of the more experienced cornerback options in this year's free-agent class and the fact he's also more versatile, he'd have plenty of suitors if he makes it to the open market. If Murphy reaches free agency, his asking price will likely be for around $15 million per year. If Minnesota loses out on Murphy, they may be forced to seek several players to try and replace him.
The Minnesota Vikings and cornerback Byron Murphy agreed to a contract restructure on Tuesday that will push back the void date on his contract to the day before the start of the new league year, a league source told ESPN's Dan Graziano. It means that the Vikings cannot use the franchise tag on Murphy in 2025. Graziano also writes that Minnesota didn't reach the same agreement with impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold. If they don't reach a new deal with Darnold before his contract voids, then $5 million in remaining signing-bonus proration would accelerate onto their 2025 salary cap as dead money. The 27-year-old Murphy was a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career in 2024 and finished with a career-high 81 tackles (62 solo), six tackles for loss, a career-high six interceptions, 14 pass breakups and one forced fumble in 17 regular-season starts.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (knee) said he suffered a Grade 3 MCL sprain on the third play of the Dec. 16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Murphy played through the injury in that game, but he didn't appear in another contest the rest of the season. The good news is that he doesn't need surgery, is in the second week of jogging and expects to have a full offseason. The 26-year-old should be ready for organized team activities, training camp and the start of the 2024 regular season. Murphy was the Arizona Cardinals' second-round selection in 2019 out of Washington. He spent the first four years of his NFL career in the desert before joining Minnesota in 2023 and recording 57 tackles (43 solo), four tackles for loss, three interceptions, 13 passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 14 starts.
The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a two-year deal worth roughly $22 million with former Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy on Tuesday, according to sources. The Vikings have landed one of the top cornerbacks on the open market this offseason after losing veteran Patrick Peterson. Murphy played in only nine games in his fourth season with the Cardinals in 2022 due to a back injury. The former second-rounder should be back healthy for the Vikings in 2023, though. In his four NFL seasons, Murphy has posted 229 tackles (184 solo), three sacks, nine tackles for loss, four QB hits, five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 34 passes defensed, one forced fumble and five fumble recoveries (one for a TD) in 56 games (48 starts).
ESPN's Field Yates is expecting the Arizona Cardinals to re-sign impending free-agent cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. this offseason. Murphy is a homegrown talent getting set to enter the prime of his career at a premium position. He won't come cheap due to his ability, but the Cardinals have little reason to move on from him, regardless of the direction of the team in 2023. The 25-year-old finished the year on Injured Reserve due to a back injury and played in only nine games in 2022, but he put up four interceptions and 12 pass breakups the year prior. In his four seasons with the Cardinals, Murphy has recorded 184 solo tackles, five interceptions (one for a touchdown), 34 passes defensed and five fumble recoveries (one for a TD).
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Byron Murphy (back) is not expected to suit up for the Week 14 matchup against the New England Patriots. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Murphy was probably not going to be available when asked if he'd suit up this week. That means, the 24-year-old is likely to miss his fourth straight game due to a lingering back issue. His absence will mean more snaps for Antonio Hamilton in the secondary. Possibly, Murphy can return next week, which would give this defense a small boost.
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Byron Murphy (back) is expected to suit up for the Week 8 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The stud defensive back is listed as questionable, but it sounds like there's a good chance that he'll play. That is good news for the Cardinals defense. The former second round pick has 29 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and two passes defended through seven games. His return would make the Cardinals defense a much more appealing streaming option.
Byron Murphy, Devon Kennard Placed On COVID-19 List
The Arizona Cardinals placed cornerback Byron Murphy and linebacker Devon Kennard on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. The Cardinals announced that two of their players tested positive over the weekend during their bye week, and now we know that it was Murphy and Kennard. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury isn't worried about the team having more positive COVID-19 tests throughout the week, and their Week 9 game scheduled against the Dolphins should be played this Sunday. However, the Cardinals Defense is unlikely to have Murphy or Kennard on the field against Miami and rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Byron Murphy Jr.
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