Minnesota’s defense will be returning its top corner.
The Vikings have agreed to terms with CB Byron Murphy on a three-year, $66 million contract, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Monday.
Murphy’s $22 million average salary catapults him into third among all cornerbacks, below only the Dolphins’ Jalen Ramsey and the Broncos’ Patrick Surtain II.
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Minnesota announced the deal shortly after.
The 27-year-old earned his pricy new contract as a key cog covering the skies for Brian Flores’ sixth-ranked scoring defense, which was also sixth against the pass, while posting a 73.5 PFF coverage grade.
A 2019 second-round pick of the Cardinals, Murphy has broken out since joining the Vikings two seasons ago. He followed up a three-interception campaign in 2023 with his first Pro Bowl selection last season, setting career highs in interceptions (six), passes defensed (14) and tackles (81).
Now officially back in purple, Murphy and the Vikes defense could have their work cut out as the other side of the ball goes through a transition to either second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy or another veteran after the departure of Sam Darnold.