Purple Rumor Mill: Byron Murphy Jr.’s Fate, Camryn Bynum’s Final Days, Aaron Jones

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VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s Vikings rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the March 8th edition.

Vikings Rumors: Byron Murphy Jr.’s Fate, Camryn Bynum’s Final Days, Aaron Jones

Remember — rumors are rumors. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the purple team, not necessarily items that will come to fruition.

Here’s the first batch of the week. All past rumors can be read here.

Rumor: Byron Murphy Jr. posted a montage on Instagram that seemed to hint at his return.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Murphy posted this on Wednesday afternoon, some five days before the start of free agency:

If the social media tea leaves are correct, the Vikings would cross a major to-do list item off their free-agency board. Cornerback is the team’s top offseason need entering March. 

If the Instagram tidbit is completely wrong, the Vikings might explore the open market next week for a corner like D.J. Reed (New York Jets), Charvarius Ward (San Francisco 49ers), or Paulson Adebo (New Orleans Saints), to name a few examples.

Otherwise, rookies like Jahdae Barron (Texas), Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina), and Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) could be draft options.

There’s also this from NFL insider Jordan Schutlz:

Sources: While Minnesota wants him back, free agent CB Byron Murphy is poised to hit the open market on Monday when the legal tampering period begins, and he’s anticipated to have a strong market.

The 27-year-old is coming off a Pro Bowl season and has totaled nine interceptions… pic.twitter.com/mPOenOkAaQ

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 7, 2025

Rumor: The Vikings re-signed Theo Jackson for $6 million per season, meaning Camryn Bynum is on his way out.

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Thursday, “The Vikings and safety Theo Jackson agreed to terms on a two-year, $12.615 million extension through 2027, with the first two years fully guaranteed at signing, per source. Deal done by Equity Sports Agency.”

That number, $6 million per season, suggests Jackson will play a lot more in 2025 and can indeed be perceived as an indicator that Bynum is too expensive.

Of course, if Minnesota knows Harrison Smith plans to retire, then Jackson’s new deal could be for a Smith replacement, not Bynum. But most fans think — hope? — Smith will return for one more hurrah.

No matter what, Jackson will get more defensive snaps than usual.

Rumor: Aaron Jones could become a Dallas Cowboy if a reunion in Minnesota isn’t in the cards.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

According to CBS Sports, an outfit that published a unique “free agency mock draft” this week, Jones will end up with the Dallas Cowboys as Dallas’ proposed RB1 fix.

Cody Benjamin explained Jones to the Cowboys, “Reinforcing the line after Zack Martin’s retirement will be key. So will surrounding Dak Prescott with better multipurpose talent. Jones could be their discount version of the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley investment, fresh off a smooth one-year stint with the Vikings.”

For now, the Cowboys have one halfback under contract for 2025: Deuce Vaughn, who is more of a special teams commodity. Incumbent RB1 Rico Dowdle is scheduled to test free agency like Jones.

This one adds up if Jones doesn’t re-sign with the Vikings. Jones could also reasonably land with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, or Denver Broncos.

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 MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.