Popular Viking Could Join … the Other Purple Team

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports.

NFL free agency is six days away, and no one is too sure if Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. will return to the Twin Cities for Year No. 3.

Popular Viking Could Join … the Other Purple Team

Murphy Jr. entered the 2025 offseason after a career year, logging 6 interceptions en route to his first Pro Bowl, and is set to cash in on a large contract this month — from somebody.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

And according to ESPN, Murphy Jr.’s next squad could be the other purple team, the Baltimore Ravens.

ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicted one free-agent signing per team, and for the Ravens, Murphy Jr. got the nod. “Free agent Brandon Stephens was the weakest of Baltimore’s top three cornerbacks this past season and is hitting free agency, so the Ravens are in a prime position to improve their pass coverage. Unfortunately, they are low in cap space and might not be able to snag top cornerbacks like D.J. Reed or Charvarius Ward,” Schatz wrote last week.

“Murphy might come a bit cheaper because he wasn’t seen as a star cornerback until his breakout season in 2024. Murphy ranked fifth in coverage DVOA among qualified corners and had six interceptions with 14 passes defended.”

If Murphy Jr. skeddadles, the Vikings would need two starting cornerbacks this offseason from either free agency or the draft, a rather tall task for a team hoping to compete for a Super Bowl in 2025.

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy spent four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, a 2nd-Round draft pick. He was welcomed to the Vikings from free agency in March 2023.

“Cornerback stats are notoriously inconsistent, so we can’t count on Murphy to have similar success in 2025, but he’s a quality veteran. He also would fit a Ravens defense that plays a mix of man and zone defenses; Minnesota played zone 69% this past season — the fourth-highest mark — although Murphy also excelled in man coverage,” Schatz added.

In an interview with KSTP’s Darren Wolfson last summer, Murphy Jr. explained his intent to remain a Viking for the long haul. “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,” Murphy Jr. said in June.

Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.

Moreover, per Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters back in January, Minnesota will likely re-sign Murphy Jr. and safety Camryn Bynum when the offseason hits. Walters revealed both declarations two months ago, clarifying two top offseason priorities.

“It’s clear the Vikings will re-sign cornerback Byron Murphy, who has six interceptions this season, and probably safety Cam Bynum, because it’s unlikely Harrison Smith, who turns 36 next month after 13 seasons, will return,” Walters opined.

However, if ESPN has it right, and Murphy Jr. departs, Minnesota 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.

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Fans will learn Murphy Jr.’s 2025 fate in about one week. His next deal is expected to check in around $20 million per season.

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, ‘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.