Minnesota Vikings make unexpected move to create salary cap space
Rob Brzezinski isn’t afraid to make serious moves when it comes to getting under the salary cap.
After the news broke about both wide receiver Justin Jefferson and left tackle Christian Darrisaw‘s restructures, the Vikings were projected to be approximately $5 million under the salary cap. They are going to have to get at least another $10 million in salary cap space just to operate in the 2026 season with their draft class, practice squad, and in-season moves.
The latest move makes sense like the Jefferson and Darrisaw moves did, as he is set to be a cornerstone piece of the defense for the next few years.
Vikings restructure Byron Murphy Jr.
The Vikings have made the decision to restructure cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.’s contract, saving approximately $11.2 million on the salary cap. He had a base salary of $15.36 million and has three void years built into his contract. That move will increase salary cap hits over the next four years by $2.8 million, with the 2027 hit at $24.4 million.
The Vikings making these moves are both smart and fiscally responsible. Every single dollar that the Vikings paid in restructures has been fully guaranteed money. We know that the Wilf’s have reportedly “closed the checkbook” for this offseason after spending over $360 million in cash last season.
Why did they spend the money to restructure? For the Wilf’s, it was already spent, as all guaranteed money goes into escrow. This means the Wilf’s have already paid this money, and the players get it out of the team’s escrow account.
Murphy has been a stalwart player for the Vikings over the past three seasons, and the most consistent cornerback. They like him kicking inside into the slot, but he’s more than capable on the outside. He made the Pro Bowl in 2024 with six interceptions and has continued to be a solid player in doing whatever they ask.
More moves are coming from the Vikings, but they are in a much better spot now than they were a week ago.
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