The End of and Era? Vikings and Key playmaker May be…
The Vikings would like to retain Camryn Bynum. The homegrown talent has gone from mid-round selection who was experiencing growing pains in his position switch to impact defender and key playmaker.
Recently, ESPN dropped Mr. Bynum down at 16th in their list of top 25 free agents for 2025. Matt Bowen thinks Bynum is an improving talent: “An ascending player with centerfield range, Bynum has seen his value rise in Brian Flores’ defensive system in Minnesota. Over the past two seasons, he has 188 tackles, 5 interceptions and 10 pass breakups. He’s an interchangeable safety who can function and produce in multiple systems.”
Jeremy Fowler follows that blurb with his own, explaining that the price could get really high to retain the safety: “Minnesota has made efforts to extend Bynum, who is a natural successor to Harrison Smith as the Vikings’ leader in the secondary. Smith turns 36 in February. Five safeties make at least $16 million per year, and Bynum, whose value is rising after three interceptions and eight passes defensed this season, will look to become the sixth. The Vikings believe they are in a good place with him as far as a long-term working relationship.”
Both Bowen and Fowler make some good points. Does Bynum really soar up to $16 million per season, though?
The Vikings, Camryn Bynum, & The ’25 Offseason
Start off with an issue we’ve discussed in the past.
The real “successor” to Harrison Smith’s job rests in Josh Metellus, someone who better embodies the fantastic versatility that has made The Hitman such a great defender for so long. Mr. Metellus re-upped with the Vikings for a pair of seasons at just $8 million. That’s right: a two-year extension that’s coming with an average of just $4 million per season.
