Vikings Defender Makes Top Free Agent List for 2025
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings will have two prominent free agents when the calendar flips to 2025.
Vikings Defender Makes Top Free Agent List for 2025
At the top of the ticket is quarterback Sam Darnold, who joined the Vikingsā roster in March on a one-year deal as a patchover passer to be named later. That man turned out to be Michiganās J.J. McCarthy, but the young signal-caller to his meniscus in August, ending his rookie campaign. So, Darnold has served as Minnesotaās QB1 for nine games and, barring injury, will start all 17 games.
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And according to ESPN, safety Camryn Bynum, too, will turn heads on the free-agent market. ESPN ranked all upcoming free agents for March 2025, and Bynum checked in at No. 16. Darnold placed at No. 8.
āWhy he could get paid: An ascending player with centerfield range, Bynum has seen his value rise in Brian Floresā defensive system in Minnesota. Over the past two seasons, he has 188 tackles, 5 interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Heās an interchangeable safety who can function and produce in multiple systems,ā ESPNās Matt Bowen explained.
Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images
Bynum is the NFLās 36th-best safety, per Pro Football Focus, and the dynamic defender made headlines last weekend when he intercepted a pass from Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones to close out a Week 10 contest.
ESPNās Dan Graziano added about Bynumās impending free agency: āWhat weāre hearing: Minnesota has made efforts to extend Bynum, who is a natural successor to Harrison Smith as the Vikingsā leader in the secondary. Smith turns 36 in February. Five safeties make at least $16 million per year, and Bynum, whose value is rising after three interceptions and eight passes defensed this season, will look to become the sixth. The Vikings believe they are in a good place with him as far as a long-term working relationship.ā
Minnesota safety C. Bynum (24) catches an interception to effectively end the game during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7. Ā© Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Before the season began, credible reporting suggested the Vikings wanted Bynum on the roster for the long haul. āIām told there have been discussions on an extension but no legitimate progress. A lot would have to change for an extension to happen before the season opener,āĀ KSTPās Darren Wolfson toldĀ SKOR NorthĀ in August. āSo, in this moment ā¦ I will tell you that Cam Bynum, starting on Sept. 8, will play out the final year on his contract. But mutual interest remains on having Cam here long term.ā
Bynum has registered 51 total tackles in 2024, along with 8 passes defended, 3 interceptions, and one fumble recovery. Opposing quarterbacks have a 44.1 passer rating when targeting him.
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota is set at safety right now, but before too long, thereās a world where Vikings fans glance at a depth chart without Harrison Smith or Camryn Bynum, leaving Josh Mettelus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward. Smith is nearing retirement, and Bynum is playing out his contract in 2024.
Overall, Bynum will likely return to Minnesota, and his extension may be a top priority in February and March.
Bynum will turn 27 next summer.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, āThe Sopranos,ā Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.Ā
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
