Ranking the 5 Biggest Vikings Free Agent Moves
The first day of free agency, also called the legal tampering window, is in the books, although more moves could drop at any given moment, especially in the first couple of days. Players can sign their negotiated deals on Wednesday.
Ranking the 5 Biggest Vikings Free Agent Moves
Five to one, these were the most significant Vikings developments of the day.
5. Cam Bynum Joins Colts
He was extremely fun to watch when he performed his celebrations with his teammates. On the field, though, Cam Bynum’s presence was just as clutch. He handled the deep safety role in Brian Flores’s defense but still managed to be around the ball whenever necessary.
He will make $15 million per season in Indianapolis, and they get a player with a wonderful personality and an excellent football player. He will surely be missed the next time Josh Metellus or Andrew Van Ginkel force a turnover.
The Vikings will turn to Theo Jackson and hope for good news on the Harrison Smith front. Otherwise, one of the free-agent safeties HAS to be signed.
4. Isaiah Rodgers Signed
The first Vikings acquisition of the day was much-needed help for the cornerback room. Isaiah Rodgers is just coming off a Super Bowl win with the Eagles, and he will now work as Minnesota’s CB2, barring an upset from Mekhi Blackmon or another new player who might join in the upcoming days, weeks, or months.
Rodgers was not viewed as one of the top cornerbacks on the market, but his PFF resume suggested that he should be.
2020: 85.6
2021: 70.7 (25/116 eligible CBs)
2022: 82.1 (5th/118)
2024: 73.2 (24/116)
Throughout the first four seasons of his career, Rodgers has been a rotational player, but that could change in 2025 after signing a two-year deal worth $15 million. A very Kwesi-like deal with some upside.
3. Ryan Kelly Provides OL Help
The interior offensive line has been a problem for years in Minnesota. At this point, they haven’t added anyone who could upgrade guard play. Instead, a new center arrived. In fact, a four-time Pro Bowler joined the club.
Ryan Kelly is a more balanced center than Garrett Bradbury, and his experience (and better pass protection) will undoubtedly help expected starter J.J. McCarthy thrive in the upcoming season.
He signed a two-year contract worth $18 million. Bradbury’s future is now in question.
2. Sam Darnold Is Out
Quarterback Sam Darnold has been the most expensive free agent signing of the day, and the Vikings wanted no part of it. The passer heads West, agreeing to terms with the Seattle Seahawks.
He delivered a fun season to Vikings fans with 35 passing touchdowns and 14 wins, along with some memorable moments. In Seattle, Darnold will reunite with ex-Vikings OC Klint Kubiak, with whom he worked in San Francisco a couple of years ago.
The Vikings turn to McCarthy as the quarterback of the future. Darnold will make $100.5 million in three seasons.
1. Byron Murphy Jr. Stays
To close one of the major roster holes, perhaps even THE roster hole, the Vikings simply re-sign Byron Murphy Jr. to a massive three-year contract worth $66 million.
After snagging six interceptions in 2024 and earning his first Pro Bowl selection, Murphy Jr. returns to the Vikings as a key piece in Brian Flores’s defense. The salary is steep, but he earned it with a strong campaign.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt