The Vikings signing former Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to a two-year, $17.5 million deal was their marquee addition of this offseason. According to Bleacher Report, it was one of the best moves any NFL team made this year.
B/R recently ranked the 25 best moves of the 2023 offseason and the Vikings' signing of Murphy came in at No. 5.
Minnesota already had an overwhelming need at corner last season, and Patrick Peterson left for Pittsburgh in free agency. As concerning as that was, however, the Vikings recovered tremendously with Byron Murphy. Two years and $17.5 million deal for a player who hasn't surrendered more than 7.5 yards per attempt in four seasons is a great deal.
Murphy is a good player with the upside to continue ascending, but it's still surprising to see the move crack the top five on a list like this. He has yet to have a PFF grade of 67 or higher, although those grades are far from a perfect metric — especially for corners.
The Vikings are banking on Murphy playing the football of his career in Minnesota, starting this season. He's still just 25 years old despite having four years as a Cardinal under his belt, and playing under defensive coordinator Brian Flores should be a great fit for Murphy's skill set. He's expected to play on the outside in base defense and slide into the slot frequently in nickel.
After missing the second half of last season due to injury, Murphy is excited for the opportunity to prove himself again in his new home. With 48 NFL starts to his name, he's the clear top dog in a young, revamped Vikings cornerback room.
Signing Murphy to a two-year deal made a lot of sense for the Vikings. It's a short-term commitment that could turn into a long-term relationship with a player who is both young and experienced. If he shines, he could earn up to $2 million in incentives in each of the next two seasons.
More must-reads: