Byron Murphy Jr.

Career StatsB

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		104	16	68	438
2025		17	2	7	71
2024		17	6	14	81
2023		14

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Byron Murphy Jr.'s extension with the Vikings represents an absolute steal at just $0.8M annually, earning an elite A+ CVI that ranks among the best value contracts in the NFL. Locking up an above-average starting cornerback for what amounts to backup money is the kind of front office coup that championship rosters are built on, especially in today's market where even middling corners command $8-12M per year. The $34.8M in guaranteed money suggests this is likely a longer-term deal with creative structuring that heavily backloads the contract, allowing Minnesota to maximize their current competitive window while securing a key defensive piece. At 27, Murphy is entering his prime years as a corner, making this the perfect time to bet on continued development and consistency in Minnesota's system. This CVI grade reflects not just tremendous immediate value, but the kind of strategic contract that gives the Vikings significant salary cap flexibility to address other roster needs while maintaining defensive stability in the secondary.

Performance Analysis

Byron Murphy Jr. is a seven-year veteran cornerback who has quietly carved out a respectable career in the NFL, entering the league as a second-round pick out of Washington in 2019 and developing into one of the more reliable boundary corners in the Vikings' defensive scheme. Earning a B performance grade this season, Murphy represents the kind of steady, experienced presence that defensive coordinators build around — not always a household name, but a player whose value shows up in the details of scheme execution and matchup durability across 104 career games. His career body of work, highlighted by back-to-back A and A- grades in 2024 and 2023 respectively, tells the story of a corner who reached genuine starter-level excellence in his prime years, and that track record carries significant weight when evaluating where he stands among his peers today. The current season has represented a step back from those recent heights, dropping to a C grade in 2025, and the numbers reflect a player navigating some performance regression. His pass deflections per game sit at 0.41, slightly below the NFL average of 0.49, which is a notable dip for a corner who was generating elite-level disruption in recent campaigns — the truly elite benchmark in this category reaches 0.88 per game, a tier Murphy has not reached this season. Where he continues to flash genuine value is against the run and in open-field pursuit, posting 4.18 tackles per game against an NFL average of 3.00, a figure that underscores his willingness to play physical and support the box. His interception rate of 0.12 per game closely mirrors the league average of 0.13, meaning his ball-hawking production has held relatively steady even as his overall coverage grade has softened. Murphy is at a pivotal juncture in his career arc — the talent and football IQ that fueled those A-range seasons remain evident, but the 2025 regression raises legitimate questions about whether age and scheme familiarity are beginning to erode his ceiling. The key indicator to watch heading into next season will be whether his pass deflection numbers rebound toward the league average and beyond, as that metric historically separates functional starters from true difference-makers at the position. If Murphy can recapture even a fraction of his 2024 form, he remains a viable starting-caliber corner with enough experience and closing instincts to contribute meaningfully to a Vikings defense with legitimate playoff aspirations.

Current Sentiment

Byron Murphy Jr. enters the 2026 season as a recognized Pro Bowl cornerback whose standing within the Minnesota Vikings organization remains firmly intact despite a series of contract restructuring moves. The Vikings' decision to restructure his deal alongside franchise cornerstones Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw signals that Murphy is viewed as a core piece of the roster rather than a cap casualty. His career totals of 16 interceptions and 68 passes defended reflect a consistent, high-level performer who has earned his reputation as one of the more reliable coverage corners in the NFC. The 'Mic'd Up' feature during the Christmas Day victory over the Lions further reinforces a positive public image, suggesting both strong on-field performance and a marketable personality that the league and media are willing to spotlight. Heading into 2026, fan and media sentiment around Murphy is broadly favorable, with the primary narrative centered on organizational cap strategy rather than any concerns about his ability or role on the team.