Next Up is a Vikings Corner Seeing Money Moved Around for Minnesota
For the past few seasons, Vikings corner Byron Murphy Jr. has been the top coverage option in the secondary.
Originally, the versatile corner put in work for the Cardinals. He then traded the desert for lakes (and snow) by becoming a Viking. Continuing the relationship involved him landing a beefy contract (three years at $54M) last year in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s spending spree. Word emerged earlier today of a restructure taking place.
Vikings Corner Byron Murphy Jr. Restructures
Tip of the cap to Alec Lewis, who does his work for The Athletic.
Lewis broke the news on Twitter, writing, “The Vikings have done a simple contract restructure on CB Byron Murphy Jr. to create more cap space, according to sources.”
Earlier in the day, news emerged about LT Christian Darrisaw and WR Justin Jefferson restructuring their deals. In each instance, Minnesota is moving money into the future, doing so with players in the middle of their 20s and who have proven to be central contributors on the roster.
Consider the maximum restructure savings for these players (OTC):
- Justin Jefferson: $18 Million
- Christian Darrisaw: $9 Million
- Byron Murphy: $11 Million
The brain trust at Over the Cap has the Vikings sitting at roughly $20 million in the red. The number follows from the adjustments that took place with the WR1 and LT1.
Worth remembering, as well, that the cuts involving Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Aaron Jones haven’t occurred yet. The expected outcome — Minnesota cutting each in a simple, straightforward manner — means tossing more than $25 million back into the present-day budget.
By the time it’s all said and done, the Vikings will have some buying power in free agency. Not enough to box out every rival team, but more than what a lot of people have realized in the doom-and-gloom end of the Minnesota Vikings world.
Look for Byron Murphy to continue being featured prominently for Brian Flores. The CB1 can play along the outside and shuffle into the slot, better allowing Minnesota to matchup with what the opponent is trying to accomplish.
He’s coming off a reasonably modest season, though he did play all seventeen games. Murphy’s stats show 71 tackles alongside 2 interceptions and 7 passes defended.
Look for the Vikings to keep the moves coming as the NFL works toward free agency next week.
