Purple Rumor Mill: Cam Bynum’s Next Team, Kirko in the Playoffs, Jamin Davis

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

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 November 30th edition.

Purple Rumor Mill: Cam Bynum’s Next Team, Kirko in the Playoffs, Jamin Davis

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: The Bengals could end up signing Camryn Bynum in free agency this March.

Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has already begun to peek at the offseason, leading him to the conclusion that Bynum could join the Cincinnati Bengals.

Bynum’s contract expires at the end of this season.

Knox recommended Bynum as a free agency target for Cincinnati and wrote, “The decision to sign Geno Stone has not worked out. Stone’s breakout season in Baltimore might have been a mirage, because the player who racked up seven interceptions last season has now become a part of the problem for a secondary that has been one of the league’s worst.”

“Cutting Stone and targeting Camryn Bynum with some of the cap savings could be a major move toward fixing things. Bynum is only 26 years old and has excelled in multiple defensive systems with the Vikings,” Knox added.

The Bengals, indeed, could be a smart landing spot for Bynum, but Minnesota will probably re-sign him, especially if Harrison Smith retires.

Rumor: The Vikings’ most likely playoff opponent at the moment is the Atlanta Falcons.

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.

Mathematically, Minnesota’s most likely playoff opponent right now is the Atlanta Falcons.

Of course, either team could flame out and ruin the would-be showdown. As of now, however, the team’s trajectories and record suggest a date in Atlanta on Wildcard Weekend.

The two clubs also meet in Minneapolis in eight days, so circle that one as a playoff teaser.

Rumor: Jamin Davis, a new Vikings linebacker, is Ivan Pace Jr.’s temporary replacement.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.

Davis is on the Vikings’ roster for linebacking depth. Folks shouldn’t expect to see him starting in the middle of the field on Sunday or anything of the sort. That’s Kamu Grugier-Hill’s job.

But Davis could be worked into the lineup over the next four weeks. The best-case scenario for Pace Jr.’s return in Week 17 versus the Green Bay Packers.

Remember — Davis was a 1st-Round draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has the talent to shine. Perhaps defensive coordinator Brian Flores will give him some action.

However, Davis is not a one-for-one Pace Jr. replacement.

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.