Despite Success in 2023, the Vikings Are Quickly Heading Towards Uncertain Waters at One Position
Josh Frey
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Back in 2022, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used his first ever draft selection as the GM of the Minnesota Vikings on a safety.
The player he selected was Lewis Cine, and after two years of experience, the safety has only appeared in 10 defensive snaps for the Vikings. Making matters worse, the Vikings traded down in the first round to make that selection when they very easily could have selected All-Pro Kyle Hamilton if they stuck with the 12th overall pick.
Finding consistent depth at any position in the NFL is hard, but it is especially difficult if a high-end draft pick doesn’t contribute. That’s what makes the Vikings’ success at the safety position in 2023 all the more impressive.
All three of Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, and Harrison Smith finished the year graded among PFF’s top-30 players at the safety position (min. 600 defensive snaps). Bynum completely rejuvenated his career after a disappointing 2022 campaign, and Metellus showcased his versatility by lining up all over the field.
However, even with all the success that this position group enjoyed in 2023, the Vikings are quickly heading towards an uncertain future at the safety spot.
Despite Success in 2023, the Vikings Need to Evaluate Their Safety Position
Of course, the player that is most solidified in his spot right now is Metellus. He signed a new two-year contract extension last offseason (which now looks like a bargain bin deal at a total of $8 million and a $2.225 million cap hit in 2024), meaning the 2020 sixth-round pick is under contract through the 2025 season.
After Metellus, though, things begin to get murky for the Vikings. Harrison Smith is under contract through 2025, but his massive cap hits over the next two seasons ($19.2 million in 2024 and $22 million in 2025) make him a pretty obvious cut candidate at this point in his career if the Vikings need to free up cap space. Seeing as Smith recently turned 35 years old, retirement could be on the table for the six-time Pro Bowler as well.
Lewis Cine is also under contract through the 2025 season, and while it would be truly shocking to see a first-round pick cut in the middle of his rookie deal (particularly considering the Vikings would lose $3.6 million in cap space by doing so), his play to this point has not suggested that he will be capable of holding down extensive snaps in a defensive scheme anytime soon.
The same question exists for Jay Ward, who is under contract through 2026, but he played just 35 snaps during his rookie season. However, it is much more reasonable for him to be further down the depth chart considering he was a fourth-round pick. Perhaps Ward — who was a very versatile player at LSU with 100+ snaps in the box, slot, outside corner, and free safety in 2022 — can see his role expanded as other veterans clear out.
Finally, the biggest question at the safety spot right now may be the future of Camryn Bynum. While many folks are busy talking about new contracts for players like Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, Danielle Hunter, and even Christian Darrisaw, the starting free safety is another player who is eligible for a contract extension this offseason.
Bynum is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2024 if he does not receive that extension, and then, he will hit free agency in March 2025 and be able to sign wherever he wants. If this were to happen, and Smith were to leave the Vikings either this offseason or next, Minnesota would be left with only Cine, Metellus, and Ward under contract for the 2025 season if they make no other moves at the position.
There are a number of different ways that the Vikings can go about replacing players if they were to leave, though. Free agency should be filled with veteran talent, including Theo Jackson, who is a Vikings restricted free agent this offseason. Then, Adofo-Mensah could also take another stab at a draft prospect to bring added depth to the position.
Either way, the Vikings will need to begin constructing a plan for both 2024 and the future at their safety position very soon.
Editor’s Note: Contractual information for this article was found via Over the Cap.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.