Breaking: “Vikings Make Major Move: Byron Murphy Jr.’s Contract Void Date Pushed Back – What It Means for Minnesota’s Defense!”

Last week, the Minnesota Vikings made a strategic move by delaying the contract void date for running back Aaron Jones to March 12, the day before free agency officially begins. Now, they’re applying the same approach to another key player: cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Vikings are pushing back Murphy’s void date, which was originally set to occur 23 days before the start of the league year—around Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. Instead, his contract will now void on the eve of the league year’s official start. This adjustment has significant implications for the team’s offseason plans.

By moving the void date, the Vikings forfeit the option to place the franchise tag on Murphy, a possibility that had recently gained traction among fans and analysts. The new void date falls after the March 4 deadline for franchise tagging players, effectively taking that option off the table. Additionally, the move allows the Vikings to avoid immediate dead money hitting their salary cap, providing more financial flexibility.

Graziano also noted that the Vikings did not extend the same courtesy to quarterback Sam Darnold, whose contract is still set to void 23 days before the league year begins. If Darnold’s contract voids as scheduled, it will trigger $5 million in dead cap space for 2025, regardless of whether the Vikings decide to franchise tag him—a move that remains a possibility.

While the decision to delay Murphy’s void date signals the Vikings’ interest in retaining him, it doesn’t guarantee a new deal will be reached. The team employed a similar strategy in 2023 with defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, only to see him sign a lucrative four-year, $57 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, leaving a gap in Minnesota’s defensive line.

However, the move does buy both the Vikings and Murphy more time to negotiate. Murphy showed significant improvement in 2023 under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, recording six interceptions—the most by a Vikings cornerback since 1998. If the team believes Murphy can build on that performance and continue to thrive in Flores’ system, the extended timeline gives them a better chance to secure a deal that keeps him in Minnesota.

This calculated approach reflects the Vikings’ efforts to balance financial prudence with their desire to retain key talent as they prepare for the upcoming season.