Breaking : “Vikings Make Shocking Move with Byron Murphy Jr.’s Contract – What It Means for Free Agency and the Franchise Tag!”

The Minnesota Vikings have made a strategic move by adjusting the void date on cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.’s contract, a decision that could have major implications for their use of the franchise tag.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Vikings and Murphy have agreed to push his contract’s void date to March 11, the day before the new league year begins. While this gives both sides more time to negotiate a potential long-term deal and delays the dead money impact on the Vikings’ 2025 salary cap, it also means Murphy is no longer eligible for the franchise tag. The deadline for tagging players is before a contract officially voids, and with this change, Murphy is now excluded from that option.

This development stands in contrast to the situation with quarterback Sam Darnold, whose contract has already voided, leaving him still eligible for the franchise tag—though it seems unlikely the Vikings would use it on him. As for Murphy, the move raises questions about the team’s intentions. On one hand, it could signal that the Vikings are working toward a long-term extension to keep Murphy in Minnesota at a reasonable cost. On the other hand, it might suggest they’re prepared to let him explore free agency, which would be surprising given his strong performance last season and his age (27), indicating he still has plenty of productive years ahead.

Regardless of the reasoning, this decision significantly reduces the likelihood of the Vikings using the franchise tag this offseason. With Murphy off the table and Darnold not appearing to be a priority for the tag, the team seems poised to avoid adding to its relatively limited history of using the franchise tag. The situation leaves fans speculating about Murphy’s future and the Vikings’ broader roster strategy as free agency approaches.