CBS Sports Names Free Agent the Vikings Can’t Afford to Lose

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will be one of the busiest men in the business when free agency opens on Monday, considering the long list of free agents he is in danger of losing once their contracts expire.

CBS Sports Names Free Agent the Vikings Can’t Afford to Lose

That list includes Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold, who, after his breakout campaign, is set to get a considerable pay raise. Statistics like his 35 passing scores surely help him in negotiations with other organizations.

Another Viking also put up fantastic numbers in the 2024 campaign. Defender Byron Murphy Jr. joined Darnold on the Pro Bowl roster after tabulating six interceptions last year.

CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin assembled a list of one free agent each team can’t afford to lose, and he decided Murphy Jr. would get his vote over the signal-caller.

He noted, “Is quarterback more important? Yes. But with J.J. McCarthy in tow, Sam Darnold isn’t nearly as valuable to Minnesota as Murphy, whose ball-hawking helped headline Brian Flores’ unit.”

Indeed, J.J. McCarthy could just take over for Darnold. That could, of course, lead to a downgrade in QB play, especially early in McCarthy’s career, but at least there’s a capable replacement in sight.

The cornerback room, on the other hand, basically consists of 2023 third-rounder Mekhi Blackmon, who showed some promise in his debut season but then was forced to sit out his entire sophomore year, and last year’s undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern, who barely saw the field after a strong preseason.

Scheduled to depart via free agency are also starters Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin, as well as top reserve Fabian Moreau. They are leaving a massive hole in the cornerback rotation.

Murphy Jr. was signed in the 2023 offseason, becoming the CB1 for a team desperate for some stability at that position. He took a two-year deal worth $17.5 million, and it’s safe to say that he outplayed that contract and was a bargain for the purple franchise.

The cornerback is expected to generate a ton of interest in free agency. PFF predicts his next deal to be a three-year contract with an annual salary of $17.33 million.

Murphy Jr. played in 31 games with the Vikings, collecting nine interceptions and 138 tackles in his two seasons in the Twin Cities. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores surely will try to convince the front office to keep his guy in the building after his strong season.

If he departs, the club could look at fellow free agents D.J. Reed, Charvarius Ward, Carlton Davis III, and Asante Samuel Jr. to take his spot. In the draft, cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison, Jahdae Barron, or Shavon Revel Jr. could also be in play with the 24th overall pick.

Last June, Murphy Jr. said in an interview with KSTP’s Darren Wolfson:

“I don’t think I’m going anywhere. That’s my mindset. I want to stay; I love this place. Since I’ve been here since day one, I have fallen in love. I want to go nowhere. I want to stay here for the rest of my career. I love these guys in the locker room and the coaching—everything about this place is great. I’m going to work my ass off to stay here.”

The defender just turned 27.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.

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